Modular hip implant fracture at the stem-sleeve interface

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomaterials science

Background:

• Modular femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty offer surgical flexibility.
• Potential risks include fretting, wear debris, and junctional failure.

Observation:

• A rare catastrophic failure of an S-ROM prosthesis (metal-on-metal bearing) at the stem-sleeve interface is reported.
• The patient presented with low serum metal ions, but SEM revealed corrosion.

Findings:

• Scanning electron microscopy indicated corrosive processes at the modular junction.
• Revision surgery revealed a pseudotumor, a concerning soft tissue reaction.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for corrosion and adverse tissue reactions in modular hip implants.
• Further investigation into modular junction integrity and long-term biocompatibility is warranted.