Fracture of Cobalt-Crome Modular Neck in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Luigi Murena; Guido Maritan; Chiara  Concina; Veronica Scamacca; Chiara Ratti; Gianluca  Canton

doi:10.23750/abm.v90i12-S.8941

Fracture of Cobalt-Crome Modular Neck in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Authors

Luigi Murena Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Cattinara Hospital – ASUITS, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (Italy)
Guido Maritan Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Cattinara Hospital – ASUITS, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (Italy)
Chiara Concina Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Monfalcone Hospital-AAS2, Via Galvani 1, 34074 Monfalcone (Italy)
Veronica Scamacca Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Cattinara Hospital – ASUITS, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (Italy)
Chiara Ratti Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Cattinara Hospital – ASUITS, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (Italy)
Gianluca Canton Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit, Cattinara Hospital – ASUITS, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste (Italy)

Keywords:

Cobalt-Crome, Modular neck fracture, Total Hip replacement, Hip arthroplasty, Risk factors

Abstract

Despite the advantages of modular total hip arthroplasty in terms of neck version, offset and length precise reproduction, titanium necks breakage became a concern. Consequently, titanium has been replaced by cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr). However, four cases of Co-Cr modular neck breakage have been reported in the literature. In the present paper, two cases of Co-Cr modular neck fractures are described together with a literature review. The aim of this work is to discuss the risk factors and characteristics of this rare complication. We described two cases of fracture of long varus Co-Cr modular femoral neck connected with cementless press-fit stem. Some risk factors, such as long varus type of modular neck, overweight and/or high demanding physical activity, might have contributed to implant failure.

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