Femoral Head Perforation After Primary Hip Arthroplasty: Unseen Complication of Ceramic-on-Ceramic Interface: A Case Report.

CASE: A 33-year-old woman, who underwent bilateral ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty 3 years previously, presented with right groin pain and mechanical grinding without a history of trauma. Radiographs revealed luxation of the femoral head, and computerized tomography showed perforation of the ceramic femoral head. The patient underwent revision with a metal-on-polyethylene articulation and retained femoral stem. Two years of follow-up yielded good clinical outcome with no evidence of osteolysis or polyethylene wear.

CONCLUSION: The perforation of a ceramic femoral head should be kept in mind as one of the possible implant failure mechanisms after primary hip arthroplasty.