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Tantalum ball position after total hip arthroplasty

J. D. J. Eldridge, FRCS, Specialist Registrar and Lecturer1; K. Avramidis, MB BS, Senior House Officer1; M. Lee, MSc, Research Assistant1; and I. D. Learmonth, FRCS, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery1

1 University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough Street, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr J. D. J. Eldridge.

There are several techniques for the accurate measurement of the migration of components after arthroplasty some of which require the operative placement of tantalum balls. We have reviewed the position and migration of these markers in 64 patients after total hip arthroplasty.

In 40% of cases, one or more balls was seen to be outside the proximal femur on the postoperative radiograph, although all were considered to be within the bone at operation. In two hips, one ball appeared to have migrated towards the joint, although none was seen within the joint. Misplacement was not related to the experience of the surgeon or the operative approach.

Migration analysis which necessitates the insertion of tantalum balls requires careful technique to avoid a potential source of third-body wear. It should probably be used only for research in small series of patients.




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Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General