Polyethylene liner dissociation with the Pinnacle acetabular component: should we be concerned?

Between 2007 and 2018, 535 total hip arthroplasties using the uncemented Pinnacle acetabular component (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN) and polyethylene liner were implanted in our unit. Of these, 6 patients presented acutely with liner polyethylene dissociation, giving a rate of liner dissociation of 1.11%. All dissociations were atraumatic. Failure occurred at mean 37 months (range 4.5 to 130 months). Radiologically, all acetabular components were within safe zone of abduction and mean anteversion was 10 degrees (range 2-20). In one case, there was posterior impingement against the femoral neck due to femoral malalignment. All patients underwent head and liner exchange with no repeat failures. Despite excellent long-term results, the frequency of dissociated polyethylene liners is a cause of concern with the Pinnacle acetabular component.