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Serum metal ion levels after second-generation metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Metal-on-metal bearings for total hip arthroplasty are increasing in popularity. However, metal ion toxicity, metal hypersensitivity, and metal carcinogenicity are the causes concern for patients with metal-on-metal hip replacement. We investigated serum levels of cobalt and chromium ions in patients with successfully implanted second-generation metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA) using PINNACLE-A (DePuy, Warsaw, IN, USA).

Materials and methods

Thirty-three patients underwent primary cementless THA with the use of a 36-mm femoral head PINNACLE-A with a metal-on-metal articulation. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, at 3 months, and at 1 year, and levels of cobalt and chromium were determined.

Results

At 3 months, levels of both cobalt and chromium had increased significantly compared with preoperative levels. There were no significant differences between levels of either metal at 3 months and 1 year.

Conclusion

Patients with metal-on-metal THA had higher circulating levels of metal ions than before arthroplasty at 3 months, with no additional significant increases at 1 year in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan

    Takao Imanishi, Masahiro Hasegawa & Akihiro Sudo

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  1. Takao Imanishi
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  2. Masahiro Hasegawa
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  3. Akihiro Sudo
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Correspondence to Masahiro Hasegawa.

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Imanishi, T., Hasegawa, M. & Sudo, A. Serum metal ion levels after second-generation metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 130, 1447–1450 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-010-1056-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-010-1056-9

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