title: Retrieval analysis of squeaking alumina ceramic-on-ceramic bearings.
abstract: This multicentre study analysed 12 alumina ceramic-on-ceramic components retrieved from squeaking total hip replacements after a mean of 23 months in situ (11 to 61). The rates and patterns of wear seen in these squeaking hips were compared with those seen in matched controls using retrieval data from 33 'silent' hip replacements with similar ceramic bearings. All 12 bearings showed evidence characteristic of edge-loading wear. The median rate of volumetric wear was 3.4 mm(3)/year for the acetabular component, 2.9 mm(3)/year on the femoral heads and 6.3 mm(3)/year for head and insert combined. This was up to 45 times greater than that of previously reported silent ceramic-on-ceramic retrievals. The rate of wear seen in ceramic components revised for squeaking hips appears to be much greater than in that seen in retrievals from 'silent' hips.
authors.affiliation: Specialist Orthopaedic Group, Suite 1.08 Mater Clinic, 3-9 Gillies Street, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales 2065, Australia. bill.walter@hipknee.com.au
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hozack
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Holley
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Garino
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tuke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002516:Ceramics; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000009:adverse effects; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000537:Aluminum Oxide