Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion of the head-neck taper in a large head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

Taper corrosion of the head-neck junction is a potentially significant and devastating problem facing orthopedic surgeons. We present a case of a 53 year old male who presented for routine follow up for a left, large head, metal on metal total hip arthroplasty five years out. The patient was asympto...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joseph Moskal, MD, Matthew Stover, DO
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-12-01
Series:Arthroplasty Today
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344115000242
Description
Summary:Taper corrosion of the head-neck junction is a potentially significant and devastating problem facing orthopedic surgeons. We present a case of a 53 year old male who presented for routine follow up for a left, large head, metal on metal total hip arthroplasty five years out. The patient was asymptomatic at the visit. X-rays at the time demonstrated a large amount of medial calcar osteolysis. Serum ion levels revealed a mildly increased cobalt and normal chromium level and hip aspiration revealed brownish fluid. At the time of revision surgery, corrosion of the head-neck taper was found with a normal appearing bearing surface leading to the diagnosis of mechanically assisted crevice corrosion of the head-neck taper with medial calcar osteolysis.
ISSN:2352-3441