Metallic wear debris in acetabular osteolysis in a mechanically stable cementless total hip replacement: report of a case.

Wear debris has evolved as the primary etiology of mechanical loosening of cemented as well as uncemented total hip arthroplasty. Osteolysis results from particle formation, and this has been most commonly reported to be secondary to polyethylene wear debris. This article demonstrates that metallic particle debris will also result in significant osteolysis. The two sources in this case are cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) particles from the acetabular component and titanium-alloy (Ti) particles from the Morse taper junction and the Ti-alloy femoral head. However, it is likely that polyethylene debris also contributed to the osteolysis, because a titanium head was used and we know this results in increased poly wear.