Delamination of tantalum porous coating from a TKA due to regional dissemination of debris.

Metallic debris from metal-on-metal bearings is a recognized mode of failure that may lead to implant loosening and periprosthetic soft tissue reactions. The sequelae of metallosis have been most commonly reported with respect to total hip arthroplasty. The authors report a rare case of metallosis following a hybrid metal-on-polyethylene total knee arthroplasty that used a porous tantalum tibial knee component. A total knee arthroplasty patient who presented with knee pain but normal radiographs was found to have delamination of her tibial component that resulted in marked periprosthetic soft tissue metallosis.