CASE: We report a case of gross taper failure (GTF) in a very active 81-year-old man 14 years after index operation. The patient presented with acute hip pain and shortening of the left leg. X-rays showed the dissociation of the head. The stem had to be revised because of the massive stem taper damage. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that GTF at the head-stem taper junction following mechanically assisted crevice corrosion is not limited to a specific taper design and material. Other risk factors such as high activity level can lead to this failure pattern also in established stem and taper designs.
