Revision strategy for posterior extrusion of the CHARITÉ polyethylene core.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a case report of a posterior extrusion of the polyethylene core from a CHARITÉ arthroplasty. This is the first reported case of posterior dislocation of the polyethylene and the revision strategies used to correct this problem.

OBJECTIVE

To report a novel failure mechanism and revision strategy for CHARITÉ total disc arthroplasty (TDA).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Case report at a Level 1 tertiary care referral center in the northeastern United States.

METHODS

This is a case report and review of the literature of a patient who sustained posterior dislocation of the polyethylene core from a CHARITÉ TDA several months after the index procedure.

RESULTS

Core dislocation is a known complication of TDA. However, of the known reported dislocations all have been anterior. This case describes the first known occurrence of posterior core dislocation and the revision strategy for this problem.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the first known case of a posterior dislocation of a CHARITÉ core. It is likely that altered biomechanical forces generated over time attributed to device failure. An instrumented posterior fusion with removal of the core is what ultimately led to a stable revision construct.