This multicentre study analysed 12 alumina ceramic-on-ceramic
components retrieved from squeaking total hip replacements after
a mean of 23 months in situ (11 to 61). The rates
and patterns of wear seen in these squeaking hips were compared
with those seen in matched controls using retrieval data from 33
‘silent’ hip replacements with similar ceramic bearings. All 12
bearings showed evidence characteristic of edge-loading wear. The
median rate of volumetric wear was 3.4 mm3/year for the
acetabular component, 2.9 mm3/year on the femoral heads
and 6.3 mm3/year for head and insert combined. This was
up to 45 times greater than that of previously reported silent ceramic-on-ceramic
retrievals. The rate of wear seen in ceramic components revised
for squeaking hips appears to be much greater than in that seen
in retrievals from ‘silent’ hips.