Abstract
Oxidized zirconium was introduced as an alternative bearing surface to decrease polyethylene wear and reduce aseptic mechanical failure of hip and knee arthroplasties. Oxidized zirconium combines the strength of a metal with wear properties of ceramic, proposing increased survivorship of implant components, and possible decreased rate of revision. Despite a harder surface than cobalt-chromium, the substrate of zirconium is a softer metal. Although uncommon, prior reports have described accelerated wear and severe metallosis after femoral head dislocation in oxidized zirconium total hip arthroplasty; however, this has not been described in total knee arthroplasty. We report a case of an oxidized zirconium total knee arthroplasty failure in a patient with knee instability. This is the first report of catastrophic failure of an oxidized zirconium total knee arthroplasty implant.