The Journal Of Bone & Joint Surgery - Scientific Articles: 01 January 2014 - Volume 96 - Issue 1 - p. 27-31

Ceramic Liner Fractures Presenting as Squeaking After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abdel Matthew P., MD; Heyse Thomas J., MD; Elpers Marcella E., BS; Mayman David J., MD; Su Edwin P., MD; Pellicci Paul M., MD; Wright Timothy M., PhD; Padgett Douglas E., MD

Hip

Background: Squeaking after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty is a relatively uncommon phenomenon. It usually does not require treatment in the absence of pain, mechanical symptoms, and/or relentless squeaking. The purpose of this investigation was to report on four patients who presented with hip pain and squeaking due to fractured ceramic liners after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: Four patients with painful squeaking after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty were seen at our institution. One patient had a revision for suspected loosening and excessive anteversion of the cup noted on radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The remaining three patients had a revision for audible squeaking with progressive pain.

Results: Intraoperatively, the ceramic liners of all four patients were fractured.

Conclusions: Squeaking after ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty rarely is a functional issue. However, painful squeaking without notable trauma may indicate fracture of the ceramic liner. Painful squeaking is difficult to evaluate by conventional imaging. When painful squeaking occurs, exploration via surgical revision is recommended in selected patients, as ceramic liner fractures may go unnoticed on radiographs and/or MRI and thus their actual prevalence may be higher than estimated.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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