Biomaterial Database

Fracture of a polyethylene acetabular cup: a case report. 1986

M Heller, and J Schatzker, and S B Goodman

Fracture of a polyethylene acetabular cup is rare. Current theories of its cause emphasize wear of the component. The case reported illustrates the presence of a loosening membrane in association with cup fracture. Histologic study of the loosening membrane indicated a foreign-body reaction to polyethylene and acrylic wear particles. The authors propose a theory relating micromotion of the acetabular component to the production of particles of wear with a subsequent foreign-body reaction followed by further loosening. The erosion of bony support leads to the concentration of stress at the junction of the supported and unsupported segments. This may ultimately result in fracture of the cup.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011095	Polyethylenes	Synthetic thermoplastics that are tough, flexible, inert, and resistant to chemicals and electrical current. They are often used as biocompatible materials for prostheses and implants.	Ethylene Polymers,Ethene Homopolymers,Homopolymers, Ethene,Polymers, Ethylene
D011475	Prosthesis Failure	Malfunction of implantation shunts, valves, etc., and prosthesis loosening, migration, and breaking.	Prosthesis Loosening,Prosthesis Durability,Prosthesis Migration,Prosthesis Survival,Durabilities, Prosthesis,Durability, Prosthesis,Failure, Prosthesis,Failures, Prosthesis,Loosening, Prosthesis,Loosenings, Prosthesis,Migration, Prosthesis,Migrations, Prosthesis,Prosthesis Durabilities,Prosthesis Failures,Prosthesis Loosenings,Prosthesis Migrations,Prosthesis Survivals,Survival, Prosthesis,Survivals, Prosthesis
D005549	Foreign-Body Reaction	Chronic inflammation and granuloma formation around irritating foreign bodies.	Foreign Body Reaction,Reaction, Foreign-Body
D006622	Hip Prosthesis	Replacement for a hip joint.	Femoral Head Prosthesis,Femoral Head Prostheses,Hip Prostheses,Prostheses, Femoral Head,Prostheses, Hip,Prosthesis, Femoral Head,Prosthesis, Hip
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077	Acetabulum	The part of the pelvis that comprises the pelvic socket where the head of FEMUR joins to form HIP JOINT (acetabulofemoral joint).	Acetabula,Cotyloid Cavity,Acetabulas,Acetabulums,Cavities, Cotyloid,Cavity, Cotyloid,Cotyloid Cavities
D013314	Stress, Mechanical	A purely physical condition which exists within any material because of strain or deformation by external forces or by non-uniform thermal expansion; expressed quantitatively in units of force per unit area.	Mechanical Stress,Mechanical Stresses,Stresses, Mechanical
D013583	Synovial Membrane	The inner membrane of a joint capsule surrounding a freely movable joint. It is loosely attached to the external fibrous capsule and secretes SYNOVIAL FLUID.	Synovium,Membrana Synovialis Capsulae Articularis,Membrane, Synovial,Membranes, Synovial,Synovial Membranes