Skip to main content
Log in

Orthopädisch-chirurgische Implantate und Allergien

Gemeinsame Stellungnahme des Arbeitskreises Implantatallergie (AK 20) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie (DGOOC), der Deutschen Kontaktallergie Gruppe (DKG) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI)

Orthopedic surgical implants and allergies

Joint statement by the Implant Allergy Working Group (AK 20) of the DGOOC (German Association of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery), DKG (German Contact Dermatitis Research Group) and DGAKI (German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology)

  • Weiterbildung • Zertifizierte Fortbildung
  • Published:
Der Orthopäde Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Zusammenfassung

Osteosynthesematerialien und gelenkersetzende Prothesen werden meist komplikationslos vertragen. Zum Auftreten von Beschwerden können neben den häufigeren klassischen Auslösern wie Infekten oder mechanischen Ursachen auch allergische Reaktionen führen. Letztere sind beispielsweise als Ekzeme, gestörte Wund- oder Frakturheilungen, Ergüsse, Schmerzen oder Lockerungen beschrieben. Im Gegensatz zu der häufig vorkommenden kutanen Metallallergie scheinen Implantatallergien selten zu sein, große Übersichtsdaten fehlen jedoch. Auslöser einer Allergie sind meistens Metalle wie Chrom, Kobalt oder Nickel sowie Knochenzementkomponenten (Acrylate und Additiva wie Gentamicin oder Benzoylperoxid). Nach Ausschluss der Differenzialdiagnosen steht in der Allergiediagnostik der Epikutantest unter Einschluss einer Implantatmetall- und Knochenzementreihe an erster Stelle. Weiterhin wird eine Analyse des periimplantären Gewebes empfohlen, wobei deren Aussagekraft wie auch die des Lymphozytentransformationstests in laufenden Studien untersucht wird. Noch ist unbekannt, welche Konstellationen die Entwicklung einer Implantatallergie herbeiführen beziehungsweise eine periimplantäre Überempfindlichkeitsreaktion im Falle einer bestehenden kutanen (Metall-)Allergie auslösen. Es wird derzeit bei bekannter Metallallergie die Verwendung von Titan-Osteosynthesematerialien empfohlen. Bei einer geplanten Hüftendoprothesenoperation sollte eine Keramik-Polyethylen-(PE-)Paarung gewählt werden oder in der Knieendoprothetik sog. Alternativmaterialien. Wenn man, was auch möglich ist, bei der gewohnten CoCr-PE-Paarung bleibt, muss in einem gut dokumentierten Aufklärungsgespräch von dem Patienten die Zustimmung erlangt werden.

Abstract

Materials used in osteosynthesis or artificial joint replacement are usually well tolerated. Complaints after such operations are mostly related to infection or mechanical problems but may also be caused by allergic reactions. The latter encompass skin changes, e.g., eczema, delayed wound/bone healing, recurrent effusion, pain, or implant loosening. In contrast to the high incidence of cutaneous metal contact allergy, allergies associated with implants are a rare condition. However, epidemiological data on the incidence of implant-related allergic reactions are still missing. Typical elicitors are nickel, chromium, cobalt, and constituents of bone cement (acrylates und additives such as gentamicin or benzoyl peroxide). After exclusion of the most common differential diagnoses, allergy diagnostic procedures are primarily based on patch tests including a metal and bone cement component series. Additional analysis of periimplant tissue is recommended. However, further studies are necessary to show the significance of the histologic findings and the role of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). Which combinations of factors will induce allergic sensitization to implants or trigger periimplant allergic reactions in the case of preexisting cutaneous metal allergy is still unknown. Titanium-based osteosynthesis materials are recommended for metal allergic patients. In elective hip replacements, a ceramic/polyethylene (PE) articulation should be used, and in knee replacements “alternative materials”. If a regular, potentially applicable CoCr/PE articulation is preferred, the patient must be well informed and must give his/her written consent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Abb. 1
Abb. 2
Abb. 3

Literatur

  1. Baur W, Hönle W, Schuh A (2005) Histopathologische Veränderungen im umgebenden Gewebe von revidierten Metall/ Metallgleitpaarungen. Orthopäde 34: 225–233

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Benson MK, Goodwin PG, Brostoff J (1975) Metal sensitivity in patients with joint replacement arthroplasties. Br Med J 15: 374–375

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brehler R, Grabbe J, Eichelberg D (1990) Nickelallergie nach Plattenosteosynthese. Akt Dermatol 16: 202–203

    Google Scholar 

  4. Breusch SJ, Kühn KD (2003) Knochenzemente auf der Basis von Polymethylmethacrylat. Orthopäde 32: 41–50

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Brodner W, Grohs JG, Bitzan P et al. (2000) Serum cobalt and serum chromium level in 2 patients with chronic renal failure after total hip prosthesis implantation with metal-metal gliding contact. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb 138: 425–429

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Carlsson AS, Magnusson B, Moller H (1980) Metal sensitivity in patients with metal-to-plastic total hip arthroplasties. Acta Orthop Scand 51: 57–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Carlsson A, Moller H (1989) Implantation of orthopaedic devices in patients with metal allergy. Acta Derm Venereol 69: 62–66

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Christiansen K, Holmes K, Zilko PJ (1979) Metal sensitivity causing loosened joint prosthesis. Ann Rheum Dis 38: 476–480

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cramers M, Lucht U (1977) Metal sensitivity in patients treated for tibial fractures with plates of stainless steel. Acta Orthop Scand 48: 245–249

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Davies AP, Willert HG, Campbell PA et al. (2005) An unusual lymphocytic perivascular infiltration in tissues around contemporary metal-on-metal joint replacements. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87: 18–27

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Deutman R, Mulder TJ, Brian R, Nater JP (1977) Metal sensitivity before and after total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 59: 862–865

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Duchna HW, Nowack U, Merget R et al. (1998) Prospektive Untersuchung zur Bedeutung der Kontaktsensibilisierung durch Metallimplantate. Zentralbl Chir 123: 1271–1276

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ebert B (1993) Metallallergisches Ekzem nach Osteosynthese. Akt Dermatol 19: 9–12

    Google Scholar 

  14. Elves MW, Wilson JN, Scales JT, Kemp HB (1975) Incidence of metal sensitivity in patients with total joint replacements. Br Med J 15: 376–378

    Google Scholar 

  15. Farronato G, Tirafili C, Alicino C, Santoro F (2002) Titanium appliances for allergic patients. J Clin Orthod 36: 676–679

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Foussereau J, Laugier P (1966) Allergic eczemas from metallic foreign bodies. Trans St Johns Hosp Dermatol Soc 52: 220–225

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Goodman SB (1996) Does the immune system play a role in loosening and osteolysis of total joint replacements? J Long Term Eff Med Implants 6: 91–101

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Granchi D, Cenni E, Trisolino G et al. (2005) Sensitivity to implant materials in patients undergoing total hip replacement. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 77: 257–264

    Google Scholar 

  19. Haddad FS, Cobb AG, Bentley G et al. (1996) Hypersensitivity in aseptic loosening of total hip replacements. The role of constituents of bone cement. J Bone Joint Surg Br 78: 546–549

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hallab N, Merritt K, Jacobs JJ (2001) Metal sensitivity in patients with orthopaedic implants. J Bone Joint Surg Am 83: 428–436

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hallab NJ, Anderson S, Stafford T et al. (2005) Lymphocyte responses in patients with total hip arthroplasty. J Orthop Res 23: 384–391

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hayashi K, Kaneko H, Kawachi S, Saida T (1999) Allergic contact dermatitis and osteomyelitis due to sternal stainless steel wire. Contact Dermatitis 41: 115–116

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Holzwarth U, Thomas P, Kachler W et al. (2005) Metallkundliche Differenzierung heutiger Kobaltbasis-Implantatlegierungen. Orthopäde 34: 1046–1051

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Jager M, Balda BR (1979) Loosening of a total hip prosthesis at contact allergy due to benzoyl peroxide. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 94: 175–178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kaplan K, Della Valle CJ, Haines K, Zuckerman JD (2002) Preoperative identification of a bone-cement allergy in a patient undergoing total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 17: 788–791

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kanerva L, Forstrom L (2001) Allergic nickel and chromate hand dermatitis induced by orthopaedic metal implant. Contact Dermatitis 44: 103–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Konttinen YT, Zhao D, Beklen A et al. (2005) The microenvironment around total hip replacement prostheses. Clin Orthop 430: 28–38

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kreibich DN, Moran CG, Delves HT et al. (1996) Systemic release of cobalt and chromium after uncemented total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Br 78: 18–21

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kubba R, Taylor JS, Marks KE (1981) Cutaneous complications of orthopedic implants. A two-year prospective study. Arch Dermatol 117: 554–560

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Lalor PA, Revell PA, Gray AB et al. (1991) Sensitivity to titanium. A cause of implant failure? J Bone Joint Surg Br 73: 25–28

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Lhotka CG, Szekeres T, Fritzer-Szekeres M et al. (1998) Are allergic reactions to skin clips associated with delayed wound healing? Am J Surg 176: 320–323

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Liden C, Norberg K (2005) Nickel on the Swedish market. Follow-up after implementation of the Nickel Directive. Contact Dermatitis 52: 29–35

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Looney RJ, Schwarz EM, Boyd A, O’Keefe RJ (2006) Periprostethic osteolysis: an immunologist’s update. Curr Opin Rheumatol 18: 80–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Maezawa K, Nozawa M, Hirose T et al. (2002) Cobalt and chromium concentrations in patients with metal-on-metal and other cementless total hip arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 122: 283–287

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. McKenzie AW, Aitken CV, Ridsdill-Smith R (1967) Urticaria after insertion of Smith-Petersen Vitallium nail. Br Med J 4: 36

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Merritt K, Brown SA (1981) Metal sensitivity reactions to orthopedic implants. Int J Dermatol 20: 89–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Merritt K, Brown SA (1996) Distribution of cobalt chromium wear and corrosion products and biologic reactions. Clin Orthop (Suppl) 329: S233–S243

    Google Scholar 

  38. Merritt K, Rodrigo JJ (1996) Immune response to synthetic materials. Sensitization of patients receiving orthopaedic implants. Clin Orthop 326: 71–79

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Munro-Ashman D, Miller AJ (1976) Rejection of metal to metal prosthesis and skin sensitivity to cobalt. Contact Dermatitis 2: 65–67

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Oakley AM, Ive FA, Carr MM (1987) Skin clips are contraindicated when there is nickel allergy. J R Soc Med 80: 290–291

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Park YS, Moon YW, Lim SJ et al. (2005) Early osteolysis following second-generation metal-on-metal hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87: 1515–1521

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Richter-Hintz D, Rieker J, Rauch L, Homey Bl (2004) Prothesenunverträglichkeit bei Typ-IV-Sensibilisierung gegen Knochenzement. Hautarzt 55: 987–989

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Rodgers K, Klykken P, Jacobs J et al. (1997) Immunotoxicity of medical devices. Symposium overview. Fundam Appl Toxicol 36: 1–14

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Rooker GD, Wilkinson JD (1980) Metal sensitivity in patients undergoing hip replacement. A prospective study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 62: 502–505

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Santamaria Babi LF, Perez Soler MT, Hauser C, Blaser K (1995) Skin-homing T cells in human cutaneous allergic inflammation. Immunol Res 14: 317–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Schäfer T, Bohler E, Ruhdorfer S et al. (2001) Epidemiology of contact allergy in adults. Allergy 56: 1192–1196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Schaffer AW, Pilger A, Engelhardt C et al. (1999) Increased blood cobalt and chromium after total hip replacement. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 37: 839–844

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Schnuch A, Geier J, Lessmann H et al. (2004) Kontaktallergene im aktuellen Zeitverlauf. Allergo J 13: 57–69

    Google Scholar 

  49. Schöberl A, Summer B, Jakob K et al. (2004) Periimplantar cobalt specific DTH reaction in a patch test negative patient with failure of hip arthroplasty. J Allergy Clin Immunol 113: 250–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Schuh A, Thomas P, Holzwarth U, Zeiler G (2004) Bilaterale umschriebene Osteolyse nach zementierter Hüfttotalendoprothesenimplantation. Orthopäde 33: 727–731

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Schuh A, Thomas P, Kachler W et al. (2005) Characterisation of histologic sections of granulomas of revised total hip arthroplasties using a scanning electron micoscope (SEM). Biomed Techn (Berl) (Suppl) 50: 1577–1578

    Google Scholar 

  52. Schuh A, Thomas P, Kachler W et al. (2005) Das Allergiepotential von Implantatwerkstoffen auf Basis Titan. Orthopäde 34: 327–333

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Schuh A, Thomas P, Holzwarth U et al. (2006) Allergie auf Knochenzementbestandteile nach Knieendoprothesenimplantation. Zentralbl Chir 131: 429–431

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Swiontkowski MF, Agel J, Schwappach J et al. (2001) Cutaneous metal sensitivity in patients with orthopaedic injuries. J Orthop Trauma 15: 86–89

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Tan M, Suzuki H (1995) Usefulness of titanium implants for systemic contact dermatitis due to orthopaedic prostheses. Contact Dermatitis 33: 202

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Thewes M, Kretschmer R, Gfesser M et al. (2001) Immunohistochemical characterization of the perivascular infiltrate cells in tissues adjacent to stainless steel implants compared with titanium implants. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 121: 223–226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Thomas P, Thomas M, Summer B et al. (2000) Intolerance of osteosynthesis material: evidence of dichromate contact allergy with concomitant oligoklonal T-cell infiltrate and TH1-type cytokine expression in the peri-implantar tissue. Allergy 55: 969–972

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Thomas P (2003) Allergien durch Implantatwerkstoffe. Orthopäde 32: 60–64

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Thomas P, Barnstorf S, Rueff F et al. (2004) Kontaktallergie gegen Endoprothesenkomponenten als mögliche Ursache einer Knieendoprothesen-Unverträglichkeit. Allergo J 13: 51

    Google Scholar 

  60. Thomas P, Oppel T, Maier S, Przybilla B (2006) Die Rolle von Knochenzementkomponenten bei der Unverträglichkeit von Knieendoprothesen. Allergo J 15: 48

    Google Scholar 

  61. Thomas P, Schuh A, Summer B et al. (2006) Knochenzementallergie. Orthopäde 35: 956–960

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Thomas P, Gollwitzer H, Maier S, Rueff F (2006) Osteosynthesis associated contact dermatitis with unusual perpetuation of hyperreactivity in a nickel allergic patient. Contact Dermatitis 54: 222–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Thomas P, Bandl WD, Maier S et al. (2006) Hypersensitivity to titanium osteosynthesis with impaired fracture healing, eczema and T-cell hyperresponsiveness in vitro: case report and review of the literature. Contact Dermatitis 55: 199–202

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Thomas P, Gabel M (2007) Persistierende Entzündung nach Großzehenkorrekturoperation bei einer Patientin mit Nickelallergie: Manifestation einer Überempfindlichkeit gegen Metallpartikel? Fuß Sprunggelenk (eingereicht)

  65. Thomas P, Braathen LR, Dörig M et al. (2007) Increased metal sensitivity and periimplant T-lymphocytic inflammation in patients with failed metal-to-metal total hip replacement. J Bone Joint Surg (submitted)

  66. Thomssen H, Hoffmann B, Schank M et al. (2001) Cobalt-specific T lymphocytes in synovial tissue after an allergic reaction to a cobalt alloy joint prosthesis. J Rheumatol 28: 1121–1128

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Uter W, Ludwig A, Balda BR et al. (2004) The prevalence of contact allergy differed between population-based and clinic-based data. J Clin Epidemiol 57: 627–632

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Wetzel S, Thomas P (2004) Allergie gegen Implantatwerkstoffe. In: Plewig G, Kaudewitz P, Sander C (Hrsg) Fortschritte der praktischen Dermatologie und Venerologie. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo, S 817–818

  69. Willert HG, Buchhorn A, Fayyazi A, Lohmann CH (2000) Histopathologische Veränderungen bei Metall/Metall-Gelenken geben Hinweise auf eine zellvermittelte Überempfindlichkeit. Osteologie 9: 165–179

    Google Scholar 

  70. Willert HG, Buchhorn GH, Fayyazi A et al. (2005) Metal-on-metal bearings and hypersensitivity in patients with artificial hip joints. A clinical and histomorphological study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87: 28–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Worm M, Brasch J, Geier J et al. (2005) Epikutantestung mit der DKG Standardreihe 2001–2004. Ergebnisse des IVDK. Hautarzt 56: 1114–1124

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Yamauchi R, Morita A, Tsuji T (2000) Pacemaker dermatitis from titanium. Contact Dermatitis 42: 52–53

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Danksagung

Für Anregungen und ergänzende Hinweise danken wir den Herren Prof. Dr. V. Ewerbeck, Dr. U. Fink, Dr. U. Holzwarth, Prof. Dr. B. Przybilla.

Interessenkonflikt

Der korrespondierende Autor gibt an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to P. Thomas or M. Thomsen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thomas, P., Schuh, A., Ring, J. et al. Orthopädisch-chirurgische Implantate und Allergien. Orthopäde 37, 75–88 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-007-1183-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-007-1183-3

Schlüsselwörter

Keywords

Navigation