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Revision for taper corrosion at the head-neck junction: pearls and pitfalls

Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine volume 9, pages 97–102 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Modular hip replacement components offer numerous advantages, and the modular femoral component has become standard for contemporary total hip implants. Recent reports of mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) at the head-neck junction, and associated adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs), have renewed concerns for complications attributed to modularity. This manuscript describes the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options for MACC and highlights how appropriate pre-revision evaluation and planning, in conjunction with meticulous surgical technique, should be followed to avoid complications and achieve optimal surgical outcomes. Future directions for research include biomechanical, clinical, and retrieval studies.

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Affiliations

  1. Maine Joint Replacement Institute, 5 Bucknam Road, Suite 1D, Falmouth, ME, 04105, USA

    Brian J. McGrory & Brigham R. McKenney

  2. Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Brian J. McGrory

Authors
  1. Brian J. McGrory
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  2. Brigham R. McKenney
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian J. McGrory.

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Conflict of interest

Brigham McKenney declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Brian J. McGrory has served as a consultant to Smith and Nephew, Inc., and as editor-in-chief of Arthroplasty Today.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Hip: Metal-on-Metal

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McGrory, B.J., McKenney, B.R. Revision for taper corrosion at the head-neck junction: pearls and pitfalls. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 9, 97–102 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-016-9325-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-016-9325-z

Keywords

  • Total hip arthroplasty
  • Revision total hip arthroplasty
  • Trunnion
  • Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC)
  • Modular taper corrosion
  • Adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR)