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OrthoVellum

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Adult Reconstruction
intermediate
X-Type

Ceramic Bearings in Hip Arthroplasty

Bearing Surfaces

A 52-year-old active male is undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. The surgeon is discussing bearing surface options with the patient. Given his age and activity level, ceramic-on-ceramic articulation is being considered. The patient asks about the advantages, disadvantages, and potential complications of ceramic bearings. Regarding ceramic bearings in hip arthroplasty:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Ceramic materials used in THA include alumina (aluminum oxide), zirconia (zirconium oxide), and alum...

B

Advantages of ceramic bearings include: lowest wear rate, excellent biocompatibility (no metal ion r...

C

Ceramic has the highest wear rate of all bearings; it releases significant metal ions; modern cerami...

D

Disadvantages include: audible squeaking (reported in 1-10% of ceramic-on-ceramic), risk of catastro...

E

If ceramic fracture occurs, revision is complex: all ceramic fragments must be removed (including fr...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option