A rare case of liner dissociation with ceramic-on-ceramic preassembled acetabular components: a case report

Liner dissociations are rare but catastrophic complications after THA, requiring revision surgery. Although this complication has been well documented in THA with modular components, it has been rarely described in preassembled designs. In this report we present a rare case of liner dissociation in a ceramic-on-ceramic pre-assembled cup design. A 41-year-old man who received THA seven years ago, presented with sudden pain in the hip. Radiographic examination confirmed a small dissociation of the liner component in the acetabular shell, as well as radiolucency between the acetabular shell and the ceramic liner, and pneumarthrosis. Revision surgery was carried out six weeks following the liner dissociation. To make an accurate diagnosis, orthopaedic surgeons must be aware of the symptoms of liner dissociation.