Acetabular Screw Head-induced Ceramic Acetabular Liner Fracture in Cementless Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Ceramic liner fractures are rare after ceramic-on-ceramic THA. This article describes a case of an early ceramic liner fracture caused by impingement with a tilted acetabular screw head 2 months after cementless ceramic-on-ceramic THA. A 59-year-old man underwent primary THA for avascular necrosis of his right femoral head. The implant used was an Osteonics Secur-Fit HA ceramic-on-ceramic bearing system. The metal shell was fixed with 1 cancellous bone screw. During the index procedure, the acetabular screw seemed tilted in the metal shell hole, but the liner was fully seated in the metal shell without difficulty. However, 2 months later he re-presented due to pain and crepitation in the right hip. Radiographs showed that the ceramic acetabular insert had fractured. At revision, ceramic insert had fractured into large and numerous comminuted fragments, and the acetabular screw head was slightly tilted and protruded over the inner surface of the metal shell, which had worn eccentrically. The ceramic inner head and metal shell were visibly intact. Because the metal shell-bone fixation was firm, a new identical design ceramic liner and head were fitted, and no adverse event has occurred since. This case suggests that a complete check of the inside of the shell should be made when using an acetabular screw and ceramic liner. In particular, the screw head must not be tilted or left proud of the inside surface of the shell. Correct acetabular screw direction and seating are essential to avoid detrimental clinical consequences.