Ceramic-on-ceramic THA: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Ceramic-on-ceramic THA is a type of total hip arthroplasty (total hip replacement). It uses a ceramic femoral head that moves against a ceramic liner inside the hip socket. It is designed to restore smoother hip motion when the natural joint is damaged. It is commonly used in surgical treatment for advanced hip arthritis and related conditions.

Ceramic liner: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A Ceramic liner is a hard, smooth insert used inside the artificial hip socket during total hip replacement. It sits within the metal acetabular cup and forms the bearing surface of the new joint. The Ceramic liner typically articulates (moves against) a femoral head made of ceramic or metal. It is most commonly discussed in the context of hip arthroplasty implant materials and wear performance.

Ceramic head: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A Ceramic head is a smooth, hard ball-shaped implant used in hip replacement surgery. It replaces the natural “ball” of the hip joint at the top of the thigh bone (femur). It is most commonly used in total hip arthroplasty (total hip replacement). It is chosen to help the artificial hip move smoothly against a liner inside the hip socket.

Ceramic femoral head: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A Ceramic femoral head is the smooth, ball-shaped “head” part of a hip replacement implant made from a ceramic material. It replaces the natural femoral head at the top of the thigh bone (femur). It is most commonly used in total hip arthroplasty (total hip replacement) and some revision hip surgeries. Its main role is to articulate (move and glide) against a liner inside the artificial hip socket.

Center-edge angle: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Center-edge angle is a measurement used to describe how much the hip socket covers the ball of the hip joint. It is most often calculated on hip and pelvis imaging, especially an anteroposterior (AP) pelvic X-ray. Clinicians use it to help evaluate hip shape, hip stability, and patterns linked with hip pain. It is commonly discussed in conditions such as hip dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Cephalomedullary nailing: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Cephalomedullary nailing is a surgical method used to stabilize certain fractures of the upper thigh bone (femur). It uses a metal rod placed inside the femur’s central canal, plus a screw or blade that anchors into the femoral head. It is most commonly used for fractures around the hip, especially in the trochanteric region. The goal is to hold broken bone fragments in a stable alignment while healing occurs.

Cephalomedullary nail: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A Cephalomedullary nail is an internal metal rod used to stabilize certain fractures of the upper femur (thigh bone). It sits inside the bone’s central canal and is anchored with a screw or blade into the femoral head near the hip. In simple terms, it acts like an internal splint that supports the broken bone while it heals. It is commonly used for hip-region fractures such as intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures.

Catching hip: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Catching hip is a term people use to describe a hip that briefly “sticks,” “locks,” or feels like it momentarily cannot move smoothly. It can feel like a snag, a clunk, or a shift in the front of the hip, groin, buttock, or outer hip. The phrase is commonly used by patients, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and orthopedic clinicians when discussing mechanical hip symptoms. It is a symptom description, not a single diagnosis.

Cartilage thinning: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Cartilage thinning describes a loss of thickness in the smooth, shock-absorbing cartilage that covers the ends of bones inside a joint. It is commonly discussed in the hip, knee, and shoulder when people report joint pain, stiffness, or reduced motion. Clinicians use the term as a clinical finding on exam and imaging, not as a specific treatment. It often appears in conversations about osteoarthritis, hip impingement, and prior joint injury.

Cartilage mapping MRI: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Cartilage mapping MRI is a specialized MRI approach that evaluates joint cartilage in more detail than standard MRI. It aims to detect early biochemical and microstructural cartilage changes, sometimes before clear “wear” is visible. It is commonly used in sports medicine and orthopedics for hips, knees, and other load-bearing joints. It can support decision-making in patients with pain, suspected early osteoarthritis, or after cartilage-related surgery.