Dissociation of modular total hip arthroplasty at the femoral head-neck interface after loosening of the acetabular shell following hip dislocation

Modular component dissociation is a potential problem of current modular total hip arthroplasty (THA) systems. We describe a case of dissociation of the modular THA at the femoral head-neck inter-face after loosening of the acetabular shell during closed reduction for posterior dislocation of THA. The causes of this dissociation and acetabular shell loosening are discussed. Successful treatment was provided with surgical revision of the acetabular and the femoral head components. The present case serves as a graphic reminder that the acetabular shell overhanging the acetabular bone must be avoided when implanting modular THA components. Key words: total hip arthroplasty, dislocation, femoral head-neck dissociation, acetabular shell loosening, surgical revision.