The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 8 , Pages 1239.e25-1239.e30, December 2008

Fracture of an Alumina Femoral Head Used in Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty

  • David P. Rhoads, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Kevin C. Baker, Harold W. Gehring, MD, Center for Biomechanics and Implant Retrieval William Beaumont Hospital Research Institute, Suite 4023601, West Thirteen Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI 48073.
    • ,
  • Kevin C. Baker, MS

      Affiliations

    • Harold W. Gehring, MD, Center for Biomechanics and Implant Retrieval, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
    • ,
  • Raj Israel, MS

      Affiliations

    • Harold W. Gehring, MD, Center for Biomechanics and Implant Retrieval, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
    • ,
  • Perry W. Greene, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan

Received 3 April 2007; accepted 17 September 2007. published online 14 April 2008.

Abstract 

A case report regarding the fracture of an alumina ceramic femoral head used in ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty is presented. The patient, who was seen in the emergency room with pain, grinding, and instability in the hip immediately after a slip-without-fall event, also reported having fallen from a height of 8 ft 6 months earlier. Characterization of the alumina fracture surfaces by light and scanning electron microscopy suggests that the previous fall may have favored the nucleation and growth of subcritical cracks in the ceramic, which lead to fracture during the slip-without-fall event. The case report addresses the significance of impact trauma on the structural integrity of ceramic materials, which should not be ignored by patient or physician regardless of perceived severity.

Key words: fracture, alumina femoral head, ceramic-on-ceramic THA, impact trauma

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

PII: S0883-5403(07)00583-9

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.09.017

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 8 , Pages 1239.e25-1239.e30, December 2008

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