Open AccessGait instability may indicate liner failure in patients with total hip arthroplasty. A report of three cases
Author(s) -
Fernando Díaz Dilernia,
M Lattore,
Gerardo Zanotti,
Fernando Comba,
Francisco Piccaluga,
Martín Buttaro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annals of the royal college of surgeons of england
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.39
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1478-7083
pISSN - 0035-8843
DOI - 10.1308/rcsann.2021.0027
Subject(s) - medicine , subluxation , total hip arthroplasty , radiography , implant , surgery , arthroplasty , complication , orthopedic surgery , implant failure , cross linked polyethylene , mechanical failure , gait , polyethylene , orthodontics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , alternative medicine , pathology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most common and successful orthopaedic procedures performed worldwide. Uncemented modular acetabular components and highly cross-linked polyethylene liners are the implants of choice for most arthroplasty surgeons. However, despite their well-known benefits, highly cross-linked polyethylene liners are not without complications, such as rim fracture, rupture and dissociation. We report three patients with gait instability and radiographic subluxation due to highly cross-linked polyethylene liner failures evidenced during stage one revision surgery. The three patients were symptoms free, with no new instability episodes, and the radiographs showed no evidence of implant loosening at the most recent follow-up. Although it is a rare complication, these three cases highlight the importance of suspecting and evaluating highly cross-linked polyethylene liner failures in patients referred for gait instability with no history of previous trauma.