Severe corrosion after malpositioning of a metallic head over the Morse taper of a cementless hip arthroplasty. A case report

Summary Morse tapers are frequently used in total hip replacement to achieve precise adjustment of lengths and femoral offset. Mechanically, they do not raise any specific problems so long as strict positioning requirements are observed and elements from different manufacturers are not mixed togethe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research surgery & research, 2012-04, Vol.98 (2), p.247-250
Main Authors: Pansard, E, Fouilleron, N, Dereudre, G, Migaud, H, Girard, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - methods
Corrosion
Device Removal - methods
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hip
Hip Prosthesis
Humans
Middle Aged
Morse taper
Orthopedics
Osteoarthritis, Hip - diagnostic imaging
Osteoarthritis, Hip - surgery
Prosthesis
Prosthesis Design
Prosthesis Failure
Radiography
Reoperation
Surgery
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Summary:Summary Morse tapers are frequently used in total hip replacement to achieve precise adjustment of lengths and femoral offset. Mechanically, they do not raise any specific problems so long as strict positioning requirements are observed and elements from different manufacturers are not mixed together. We report a case in which the implant induced unexplained pain at 2 years, in relation to a defective fit between the metallic head and the Morse taper. Asymmetric partial fit of the head onto the taper was detected on control X-ray and was implicated as causing metallosis due to excessive release of metal debris from the Morse taper. Revision required femoral stem exchange because of the damage to the Morse taper as well as replacing the cup with new metal-metal bearings. Evolution was favorable at 3 years’ follow-up. Most hip replacements include a Morse taper; the present clinical case is a reminder that strict positioning rules are to be respected, without which corrosion and wear may lead to mechanical failure.
ISSN:1877-0568
1877-0568
DOI:10.1016/j.otsr.2011.05.018