Experience in the United States with Alumina Ceramic-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty

Bearing wear and associated osteolysis are the most common problems affecting the long-term results of total hip arthroplasty. Alumina ceramic-ceramic bearings have been introduced as one method of addressing these problems. The current study reviews the clinical outcome of the use of alumina ceramic-ceramic bearings in the United States and specifically reports on the 2- to 8-year results of a prospective FDA-ID. Results demonstrate that the alumina ceramic-ceramic bearings are reliable and show very few early problems. Ceramic fractures do occur rarely and may be similar in incidence to reports of fractures or disassociations of polyethylene components. The incidence of instability is extremely low despite the absence of lipped liners and fewer head-length options.