Bearing Surface Changes Of Retrieved MOM Hips Predict Factors Associated With Failure

Metal-on-metal (MOM) total hip arthroplasty using large diameter femoral heads offer clinical advantages however the failure rates of these hips is unacceptably high. Retrieved hips have undergone a wide range of changes at their bearing and taper surfaces and there is no agreement regarding the cause of failure.
Detailed visual inspection is the first step in the forensic examination of failed hip components in order to report on the changes that have occurred at the bearing surface and may help explain the mechanisms of failure.