Disassociation of a Cold-Welded Bimodular Titanium Femoral Stem by Intraoperative Ice Cooling

Abstract

Modularity in total hip arthroplasty allows a surgeon to have intraoperative versatility, allowing for fine adjustments of the femoral offset, leg length, and version. However, modularity can be a source of multiple complications. This case report describes a novel intraoperative solution for the problem of cold welding of a neck-stem junction using sterile ice to cryogenically disengage the modular components.

Keywords

• Cold weld
• Cold-welded modular neck
• Modular neck-stem junction
• Trunnion
• Modular total hip arthroplasty