Abstract
We surgically retrieved two cobalt(Co)–chromium(Cr)–molybdenum(Mo) and five titanium(Ti)–aluminum(Al)–vanadium(V) alloy knee prostheses from patients because of mechanical failure and pain. We examined the distribution of the small particles which were released from the Co–Cr–Mo and Ti–Al–V alloys using a backscattered scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition we analyzed the metals in the artificial knee joints and the tissues adjacent to them using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). We demonstrated that a myriad of fine particles, produced by the abrasion of both Co–Cr–Mo and Ti–Al–V alloys, accumulated in the synovial cells. As Co–Cr–Mo alloys disintegrate easily in the cells, Co dissolves from the peripheral areas of them, although Cr remains within the cells. In contrast Ti–Al–V alloys are very stable in the synovial cells. From these findings we conclude that the Co–Cr–Mo alloys are hazardous to the body as the alloys release Co which enters the body. In contrast the Ti–Al–V alloys are very stable and are patently safer. Artificial joints, however, are still in considerable need of improvement.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J. C. Bayley, R. D. Scott, F. C. Ewald and G. B. Holmes, J. Bone Joint Surg. 70-A (1998) 668.
H. S. Dobbs and M. J. Minski, Biomaterials 1 (1980) 193.
J. Black, E. C. Maitin, H. Gelman and D. M. Morris, ibid. 4 (1983) 160.
J. J. Jacobs, A. K. Skipor, J. Black, R. M. Urban and J. O. Galante, J. Bone Joint Surg. 73-A (1991) 1475.
H. J. Agins, N. W. Alcock, M. Bansal, E. A. Salvati, P. D. Wilson, P. M. Pellicci and P. G. Bullough, ibid. 70-A (1988) 347.
R. M. Urban, J. J. Jacobs, J. L. Gilbert and J. O. Galante, ibid. 76-A (1994) 1345.
E. J. Evans, Biomaterials 15 (1994) 713.
D. R. Haynes, S. D. Rogers, S. Hay, M. J. Pearcy and D. W. Howie, J. Bone Joint Surg. 75-A (1993) 825.
W. J. Maloney, R. L. Smith, F. Castro and D. J. Schurman, ibid. 75-A (1993) 835.
T. Rae, ibid. 63-B (1981) 435.
G. C. F. Clark and D. F. Williams, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 16 (1982) 125.
D. R. Haynes, S. D. Rogers, D. W. Howie, M. J. Pearcy and B. V. Roberts, Clin. Orthop. Rel. Res. 323 (1996) 316.
D. R. Haynes, T. N. Crotti and M. R. Haywood, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 49 (2000) 167.
D. F. Galindo, C. Ercoli, G. N. Graser, R. H. Tallents and M. E. Moss, J. Prosthet. Dent. 85 (2001) 88.
J. L. Woodman, J. Black and S. A. Jiminez, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 18 (1984) 99.
H. Kawahara, S. Ochi, K. Tanetani, K. Kato et al., J. JDAM 4 (1963) 65.
S. G. Steinemann, in “Evaluation of Biomaterials” (John Wiley & Sons Ltd, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, 1980) p. 1.
J. L. Woodmann, J. J. Jacobs, J. O. Galante and R. M. Urban, J. Orthop. Res. 1 (1984) 421.
ASTM F 72-92, American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA (1992).
K. Merritt and S. A. Brown, J. Dermat. 20 (1981) 89.
A. H. Waterman and J. J. Schrik, Contact Dermatitis 13 (1985) 294.
ASTM F 1295-92, American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, PA, (1992).
E. Kobayashi, H. Doi, T. Yoneyama, H. Hamanaka, I. R. Gibson, S. M. Best, J. C. Shelton and W. Bonfield, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Med. 9 (1998) 625.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ichinose*, S., Muneta, T., Sekiya, I. et al. The study of metal ion release and cytotoxicity in Co–Cr–Mo and Ti–Al–V alloy in total knee prosthesis – scanning electron microscopic observation. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 14, 79–86 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021557605458
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021557605458