title: Damage of an Oxinium femoral head and polyethylene liner following 'routine' total hip replacement.
abstract: We present a case of early retrieval of an Oxinium femoral head and corresponding polyethylene liner where there was significant surface damage to the head and polyethylene. The implants were retrieved at the time of revision surgery to correct leg-length discrepancy just 48 hours after the primary hip replacement. Appropriate analysis of the retrieved femoral head demonstrated loss of the Oxinium layer with exposure of the underlying substrate and transfer of titanium from the acetabular shell at the time of a reduction of the index total hip replacement. In addition, the level of damage to the polyethylene was extensive despite only 48 hours in situ. The purpose of this report is to highlight the care that is required at the time of reduction, especially with these hard femoral counter-faces such as Oxinium. To our knowledge, the damage occurring at the time of reduction has not been previously reported following the retrieval of an otherwise well-functioning hip replacement.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5. Richard.McCalden@lhsc.on.ca
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: McCalden
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Charron
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Teeter
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Holdsworth
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000601:surgery; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020959:Polyethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene