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Does Ion Release Differ Between Hip Resurfacing and Metal-on-metal THA?

  • Original Article
  • Hip
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Abstract

Modern metal-on-metal hip resurfacing was introduced as a bone-preserving method of joint reconstruction for young and active patients; however, the large diameter of the bearing surfaces is of concern for potential increased metal ion release. We hypothesized there were no differences in serum concentrations of chromium, cobalt, and molybdenum between patients who had metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (Group A; average head diameter, 48 mm; median followup, 24 months) and patients who had 28-mm metal-on-metal THA (Group B; median followup, 25 months). Serum concentrations also were compared with concentrations in healthy subjects. We identified no differences in ion levels between Groups A and B. A distinction was made according to gender. Women showed a higher chromium release in Group A whereas men had a higher cobalt release in Group B. Values obtained from Group A were higher than those of the control subjects. Our data suggest metal-on-metal bearings for THA should not be rejected because of concern regarding potential increased metal ion release; however, patients with elevated ion levels, even without loosening or toxicity, could be at higher risk and should be followed up periodically.

Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Michelina Greco for her contribution to the serum ion measurement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VI Division, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

    Antonio Moroni MD, Matteo Cadossi MD & Sandro Giannini MD

  2. Laboratory for Pathophysiology of Orthopaedic Implants, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, Bologna, 40136, Italy

    Lucia Savarino BSc & Nicola Baldini MD

Authors
  1. Antonio Moroni MD
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  2. Lucia Savarino BSc
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  3. Matteo Cadossi MD
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  4. Nicola Baldini MD
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Correspondence to Lucia Savarino BSc.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent was obtained.

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Moroni, A., Savarino, L., Cadossi, M. et al. Does Ion Release Differ Between Hip Resurfacing and Metal-on-metal THA?. Clin Orthop Relat Res 466, 700–707 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-007-0106-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-007-0106-2

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