[Traumatic crunching of a ceramic head in a hip arthroplasty after fall]

A 68-year-old woman with a well functioning total hip arthroplasty fell down on her right hip. A month later, a crunching sound was heard and pain intensified. An initial frontal radiograph was insufficient for reaching a diagnosis but subsequent biplanar radiographs revealed a fragmented ceramic head and revision surgery was performed. The course hereafter was uneventful. Biplanar early radiographs--and potentially a computed tomography--following direct trauma to a symptomatic total hip arthroplasty containing one or more ceramic components is recommended. Surgery should include change of both head and liner and a thorough total synovectomy.