Dissociation of the Harris-Galante II polyethylene liner in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

We investigated the dissociation of polyethylene liner from the Harris-Galante II metal shell inarthritis patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 41 total hip arthroplasties using Harris-Galante II cup in 34 patients were reviewed retrospectively. There were three cases with dissociation of the polyethylene liner and locking tine breakage of metal shell, and one case with locking tine breakage without dissociation of the polyethylene liner. In three cases with dissociation of the polyethylene liner, two cups had been placed relatively horizontally while the third had been placed relatively vertically. In general, high activity, heavy body weight, and young age are thought to be risk factors for polyethylene liner dissociation, but these patients generally have lower activity and lighter body weight compared to patients with osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The use of small femoral heads and either horizontal or vertical cup placement may have allowed impingement and tine damage, contributing to liner dissociation in these relatively inactive patients.