[Ceramic head fracture--a rare complication in hip endoprosthesis. Case report and literature survey]

Since introduction of the prosthetic joint replacement numerous design modifications have taken place. Some were successful other were given up after short time. During almost twenty years now in joint arthroplasty of the hip components made of A12 03-ceramics--ball and/or socket--are used. Many papers have reported about the results of these implants. One of the possible complications described in the literature is the breakage of the ceramic component(s). Since April 1981 we have implanted over 500 cementless prosthesis of the hip in combination with a ceramic ball. In one patients we observed a breakage of the head two years after implantation. We will describe the story of this case and discuss possible reasons for this complication in reference to the literature.