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Complications of Ceramic-on-Ceramic Bearings: Fracture, Stripe Wear, and Squeaking

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Complications after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) articulations were developed as an alternative bearing to conventional metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) bearings in order to decrease bearing surface wear and hopefully increase implant longevity. Overall, CoC bearings have the lowest rate of wear among all bearing [1] surfaces and are not associated with complications such as osteolysis and tissue necrosis linked with MoP and metal-on-metal (MoM) articulations, respectively. Despite ceramics’ superior tribological properties, their use has been associated with other complications such as fracture, edge loading, and squeaking. Edge loading and benign squeaking have little clinical significance, while pathological squeaking and fractures are rare. Despite the low rate of clinical complications seen, these factors deter surgeons from routinely using ceramic bearings in total hip arthroplasty (THA). This chapter further expands on these complications.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Selin Munir PhD, for her scientific input and help in preparation of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Specialist Orthopaedic Group, Mater Clinic, Suite 1.08 3-9 Gillies St, North Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia

    Yadin David Levy MD (Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Fellow)

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Specialist Orthopaedic Group, Mater Clinic, Suite 1.08. 3-9 Gillies St, North Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia

    William Lindsay Walter MBBS (Syd), FRACS (Orth), PhD

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Correspondence to Yadin David Levy MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

    Matthew P. Abdel

  2. Division of Adult Reconstruction, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Craig J. Della Valle

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Levy, Y.D., Walter, W.L. (2017). Complications of Ceramic-on-Ceramic Bearings: Fracture, Stripe Wear, and Squeaking. In: Abdel, M., Della Valle, C. (eds) Complications after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54913-2_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54913-2_14

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