Noise generation has been reported with ceramic-on-ceramic
articulations in total hip replacement (THR). This study evaluated
208 consecutive Delta Motion THRs at a mean follow-up of 21 months
(12 to 35). There were 141 women and 67 men with a mean age of 59
years (22 to 84). Patients were reviewed clinically and radiologically,
and the incidence of noise was determined using a newly described
assessment method. Noise production was examined against range of
movement, ligamentous laxity, patient-reported outcome scores, activity
level and orientation of the acetabular component. There were 143
silent hips (69%), 22 (11%) with noises other than squeaking, 17
(8%) with unreproducible squeaking and 26 (13%) with reproducible
squeaking. Hips with reproducible squeaking had a greater mean range
of movement (p <
0.001) and mean ligament laxity (p = 0.004), smaller
median head size (p = 0.01) and decreased mean acetabular component
inclination (p = 0.02) and anteversion angle (p = 0.02) compared
with the other groups. There was no relationship between squeaking
and age (p = 0.13), height (p = 0.263), weight (p = 0.333), body
mass index (p = 0.643), gender (p = 0.07) or patient outcome score
(p = 0.422). There were no revisions during follow-up. Despite the
surprisingly high incidence of squeaking, all patients remain satisfied
with their hip replacement. Cite this article:
