Late failure of the polyethylene liner fixation in an uncemented total hip arthroplasty

We report on the failure of fixation of a polyethylene liner of a Harris/Galante first-generation cementless acetabular component (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN). The failure was diagnosed 9 years after implantation. The polyethylene liner was partly dissociated in its metal shell, resulting in nearly complete wearing through of the metal caused by the femoral head. This wearing contributed to severe metallosis and osteolysis around both the femoral and the acetabular component. The possible failure mechanisms are described, and a complete review of the literature is given.