Failure of the Modular Neck in a Total Hip Arthroplasty

Received 4 February 2009; accepted 12 July 2009. published online 19 October 2009.
Corrected Proof

Abstract

Modular femoral necks in total hip arthroplasty are promoted as giving the surgeon more options during surgery and as being safe. We report a case of fatigue fracture in the modular neck of a femoral implant 3 1/2 years after implantation. The probable design errors leading to product failure are discussed.

Keywords: femoral necks, fatigue fracture

⁎ Department of Surgery; Orthopaedic Surgery/Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Carle Clinic Association, Champaign, Illinois

† Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois

Reprint requests: Chris J. Dangles, MD, Department of Surgery, Carle Clinic-Champaign on Mattis, 1802 S Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821.

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

PII: S0883-5403(09)00314-3

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2009.07.015