Do Stem Taper Microgrooves Influence Taper Corrosion in Total Hip Arthroplasty? A Matched Cohort Retrieval Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies identified imprinting of the stem morphology onto the interior head bore, leading researchers to hypothesize an influence of taper topography on mechanically assisted crevice corrosion. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether microgrooved stem tapers result in greater fretting corrosion damage than smooth stem tapers.

Methods

A matched cohort of 120 retrieved head-stem pairs from metal-on-polyethylene bearings was created controlling for implantation time, flexural rigidity, apparent length of engagement, and head size. There were 2 groups of 60 heads each, mated with either smooth or microgrooved stem tapers. A high-precision roundness machine was used to measure and categorize the surface morphology. Fretting corrosion damage at the hea

SUBMITTER: Arnholt CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5362300 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature