Hernigou (2013) is a historical review tracing the Morse taper from its 1864 mechanical origins to its adaptation in hip arthroplasty, explaining the mechanical principles governing taper stability and cataloguing the failure modes — dissociation, fretting corrosion, and ceramic fracture — that emerge when modular taper components are mismatched or improperly assembled.
When revising a modular THA or selecting a new ceramic head intraoperatively, confirm the manufacturer and taper specifications before assembly — cross-manufacturer taper mixing is contraindicated, surfaces must be dry, and the small taper-angle principle means even minor dimensional mismatches can generate catastrophic hoop stresses in ceramic heads.
Hernigou (2013) is a historical review tracing the Morse taper from its 1864 mechanical origins to its adaptation in hip arthroplasty, explaining the mechanical principles governing taper stability and cataloguing the failure modes — dissociation, fretting corrosion, and ceramic fracture — that emerge when modular taper components are mismatched or improperly assembled.
When revising a modular THA or selecting a new ceramic head intraoperatively, confirm the manufacturer and taper specifications before assembly — cross-manufacturer taper mixing is contraindicated, surfaces must be dry, and the small taper-angle principle means even minor dimensional mismatches can generate catastrophic hoop stresses in ceramic heads.