Atraumatic Delta Head Fracture in a Ceramic-On-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

A 47-year-old man underwent a left ceramic-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty with a delta ceramic femoral head. At 20 months postoperatively, he presented with acute left groin pain after he stepped over a fishing rod while on a boat. A fracture of the femoral head without trauma was diagnosed upon presentation. Manufacturing practices with improvements in each successive generation have decreased historically high ceramic fracture rates considerably. Although femoral head fractures have proven to be extremely rare both in ceramic-on-polyethylene articulations and with the newest delta femoral head, it is important to remain vigilant in all situations involving ceramics.

Keywords

atraumatic delta femoral head - total hip arthroplasty - ceramic-on-polyethylene

• References

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