The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 22, Issue 4 , Pages 496-503, June 2007

Squeaking in Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hips:

The Importance of Acetabular Component Orientation

  • William L. Walter, MBBS, FRACS, FAOrthA

      Affiliations

    • Sydney Hip and Knee Surgeons, Sydney, NSW, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: William L. Walter, MBBS, FRACS, FAOrthA, Sydney Hip and Knee Surgeons, Level 3, 100 Bay Road, Waverton, NSW 2060, Australia.
  • ,
  • Gary C. O'Toole, FRCS (Tr & Orth)

      Affiliations

    • Sydney Hip and Knee Surgeons, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • ,
  • William K. Walter, MBBS, FRCS, FRACS, FAOrthA

      Affiliations

    • Sydney Hip and Knee Surgeons, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • ,
  • Andrew Ellis, MBBS, FRACS, FAOrthA

      Affiliations

    • Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway St Leonards, NSW, Australia
  • ,
  • Bernard A. Zicat, MD, FRACS, FAOrthA

      Affiliations

    • Sydney Hip and Knee Surgeons, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Received 24 January 2006; accepted 30 June 2006. published online 29 March 2007.

Abstract 

Audible squeaking in total hip replacements with ceramic-on-ceramic bearings is a rare problem. Acetabular component orientation was compared for 17 squeaking hips and 17 matched controls. Ninety-four percent of control hips were in a range of 25° ± 10° anteversion and 45° ± 10° inclination, but only 35% of squeaking hips were in this range (P = .0003). Eight hips squeak with bending. Four hips squeak with walking, and 5 hips squeak after prolonged periods of walking. Hips that squeaked with walking had acetabular components that were more anteverted (40°) than hips that squeaked with bending (19°) (P = .001) or prolonged walking (18°) (P = .020). The hips started squeaking after an average of 14 months. Patients with squeaking hips were younger, heavier, and taller than patients with silent hips.

Key words: ceramic, squeak, alumina, hip

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(06)00512-2

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.06.018

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 22, Issue 4 , Pages 496-503, June 2007