Squeaking after third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty

We retrospectively reviewed records of 1002 patients who underwent a third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty. Fifteen patients complained of squeaking, at any time after their arthroplasty. Of these 15 patients, 14 were evaluated clinically and radiologically. These 14 patients were found to have significantly higher mean body mass index of 25.8 kg/m(2) as compared with all the other patients who did not complain of squeaking (mean, 23.7 kg/m(2)) (P = .022). The acetabular opening angle was significantly lower (mean, 34°) than a matched control group (mean, 38°) (P = .016). Limb length shortening of more than 5 mm was observed in 12 (85.7%) of the 14 patients as compared with only 4 (28.6%) of 14 patients in the matched control group. Flexion and sitting cross legged were identified as the movements, which most commonly (11/12) resulted in squeaking. The incidence of squeaking was found to be low (1.5%), and we identified high body mass index, decreased acetabular opening angle, and limb length shortening as factors associated with squeaking.