title: Difficult implant retrieval: a case report.
abstract: Artificial joint prostheses can be expected to fail eventually. The author describes the case of a woman whose cemented knee-joint hinge prosthesis failed and required revision. This prosthesis was designed so that the stem became thinner as it approached the bearing surfaces. As a result the implant could not be removed from the cement and the cement could not be removed without severe destruction of surrounding bone. Although this prosthesis is no longer being used, there may be patients having this implant who will require revision in the future. This paper warns surgeons that its removal will be extremely difficult and appropriate plans should be made preoperatively. The author concludes that no stemmed implant should be cemented in place if it cannot readily be removed from the cement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation