Extraction of a well fixed but fractured ceramic acetabular liner

Abstract

Ceramic fractures have been reported to occur in hip replacements, but the techniques used to extract a well fixed but fractured component are not commonly described. We present a case of ceramic liner fracture and validate a modification of a previously reported extraction technique that allowed us to save the acetabular cup and insert a polyethylene liner. With an increasing trend in ceramic bearing usage, it is likely that the number of ceramic liner fractures will increase and therefore knowledge of successful extraction techniques will be desirable.

Keywords

• Ceramic
• Fracture
• Revision
• Total hip replacement