Traumatic loosening of a prosthetic acetabular cup in a young patient

The authors present a case of loosening of the acetabular cup of a total prosthesis resulting from an injury which caused a fracture of the acetabulum. This does not appear to have been previously recorded in the literature. This case also presented a problem of treatment and emphasizes the need for intercompatibility of prosthetic components should only one need replacement. Bone grafts were used in this case to reinforce the acetabular roof for the secure seating of a replacement cup--in this case a cementless acetabular component screwed into the bony acetabulum.