A failed vitallium/stainless steel total hip replacement: a case report with histological and metallurgical examination.

A case of a failed total hip replacement consisting of a Vitallium hip socket and a stainless steel femoral head prosthesis is presented. The mixed-metal combination and inadequate design resulted in severe abrasive wear and fretting corrosion of the bearing surface, and the accumulation of stainless steel wear debris and corrosion products in the periarticular tissues was extensive. The tissue response was primarily fibrotic scarring with severe histiocytic and mild foreign body giant cell reaction. Despite the massive accumulation of wear debris and corrosion products, however, there was minimal chronic inflammation and no acute inflammation.