Evidence-Based Management of Trunnionosis in Metal-on-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Multiple recent reports have indicated a rising awareness of trunnionosis-related implant failures, accounting for up to 3% of all total hip arthroplasty revisions. Moreover, aseptic loosening and osteolysis from local release of metal debris can be the presenting manifestations, and thus the true incidence of trunnionosis is thought to be underreported. Furthermore, the relatively unclear and multifactorial pathogenesis and the widely variable clinical presentations pose a diagnostic challenge. A consensus regarding the ideal intervention and its timing is also lacking. Because of the relative paucity of reports regarding the diagnosis and management of trunnionosis, we conducted this evidence-based review to evaluate the (1) incidence, (2) pathogenesis, (3) diagnosis, and (4) treatment of trunnionosis in metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty. We then propose an algorithm for the diagnostic work-up and management of this condition.