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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
Published on: September 29, 2023
Surface damage to an Oxinium femoral head prosthesis after dislocation
G T Evangelista1, E Fulkerson, F Kummer
1Musculoskeletal Research Center, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York 10003, USA.
Abstract:
During open reduction of an irreducible anterior dislocation of a total hip replacement with an Oxinium femoral head, it was observed that the head had been significantly damaged. Gross and scanning electron microscopic examination revealed cracking, gouging, and delamination of the surface. Because of the risk which this poses for damaging the polyethylene acetabular liner, it is strongly recommended that patients with this type of prosthetic head be carefully monitored after a dislocation.
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