title: Considerations on seven cases of breakage of the polyethylene acetabular cup.
abstract: The authors describe seven cases of breakage of the polyethylene acetabular cup observed in 6 patients (5 females and 1 male) after a period of time ranging from 2 to 11 years postsurgery. By comparing the results obtained with those reported in the literature the authors analyze the possible etiopathogenesis of this rare late complication in total hip arthroplasty, which they particularly believe to be caused by hyperwear and fatigue phenomena of the acetabular cup, in turn caused by mechanical overloading.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie, Università, Genova.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federici
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanguineti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santolini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gatto
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes