Arthroscopy as a diagnostic tool for painful trunnion corrosion after hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

Adverse local soft tissue reactions can occur in response to wear debris or corrosion products released from total hip arthroplasty (THA). Hip arthroscopy is a useful diagnostic adjunct in the investigation of painful THA. A patient with a painful primary metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene THA underwent hip arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis of trunnion corrosion. The prosthetic implants were well fixed and aligned with no indication of infection. Hip arthroscopy was used to confirm the presence of corrosion on the trunnion of a titanium stem at its junction with a cobalt-chrome head. Due to persistent symptoms, the patient subsequently underwent arthrotomy, which confirmed the diagnosis, and revision hip arthroplasty to a titanium adapter sleeve, ceramic head and liner exchange, with relief of his symptoms. Hip arthroscopy may prove a useful additional diagnostic tool in the investigation of this emerging clinical entity.