Ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surfaces in total hip arthroplasty offer which MOST important advantage over conventional metal-on-polyethylene?

• A Lower risk of dislocation due to improved head-neck ratio
• B Dramatically reduced wear rates, minimizing osteolytic particle burden ✓
• C Elimination of the risk of squeaking noise
• D Superior osseointegration of the femoral stem

Explanation

Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings exhibit extremely low wear rates (approximately 1–5 mm³/year vs 40–100 mm³/year for conventional UHMWPE), owing to alumina's exceptional hardness, wettability and scratch resistance. This dramatically reduces generation of osteolytic wear particles, making CoC ideal in younger, more active patients. Squeaking is a recognized complication of CoC (stripe wear from edge loading), so option C is incorrect. Head-neck ratio (affecting dislocation risk) is determined by component geometry, not bearing material. Osseointegration depends on implant surface coating, not the articulating bearing.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.