Penetration Of The Head Of A Femoral Prosthesis Through The Metal Shell Of A Harris-Galante Type-I Acetabular Component: An Unusual Complication

摘要

Case History A 33-year old male underwent bilateral total hip replacements for ankylosing spondylitis at a hospital in Pakistan. The right hip arthroplasty was carried out in 1995 and the left in 1996. Porous coated uncemented Harris-Galante Type –1 acetabular and femoral prostheses were used. The right hip dislocated on the 3rd post-operative day and the polyethylene liner was replaced. The patient made an uneventful recovery thereafter. The left hip arthroplasty was uncomplicated. The patient moved to the UK in the 1999. 5-years following the right hip primary arthroplasty, the patient presented with increasing pain in the right hip and inability to weight bear. The pain had gradually increased over a period of 2-3 weeks and affected his mobility. Clinical examination revealed a shortened and stiff right leg with no hip movement at all. A plain radiograph of the right hip [fig.1] showed protrusion of the femoral head from the acetabular shell associated with periprosthetic osteolysis and implant loosening.