Late Breakage of a Dual-Mobility Polyethylene Insert in a Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Unusual Failure Mode

Abstract

The use of dual-mobility cups has gained popularity in recent years. Thus, surgeons can expect an increase in known and new causes of failure. We report a previously undescribed form of a late intraprosthetic dislocation consisting of a complete breakage of a polyethylene mobile bearing that suffered a dislocation 3 months after its implantation. Two years later, he began feeling anterior groin pain and suffered gait changes. Computed tomography scan revealed an eccentric alignment of the mobile polyethylene bearing suggestive of poly wear. During the revision surgery, the polyethylene was found to be split in 2. Possible causes of this complication are proposed. Our case shows a previously unreported implant-specific complication, so surgeons can identify it.

Keywords

• Dual-mobility
• Polyethylene
• Hip
• Total hip arthroplasty
• Luxation
• Intra-prosthetic dislocation