SYSTEMIC RELEASE OF METAL PARTICLES FROM METAL-ON-METAL SURFACE ARTHROPLASTY OF THE HIP

• Published in: Hip international Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 241 - 242
• Main Authors: Falcone, G, Iavicoli, I, Salvatori, S, De Santis, V, Alessandrelli, M, Cresti, R, Alimonti, A, Carelli, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2005
• ISSN: 1120-7000

On account of polyethylene-related failures in early hip resurfacing implants a metal-on-metal bearing to surface replacement was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s after the reintroduction of metal-on metal bearings to total hip replacement in 1988 in Europe. Although these implants are considered to be biologically inert, several studies have demonstrated that corrosion mechanisms can cause metal debris to be released into surrounding tissue and subsequently metal ions released from the alloys may enter the bloodstream and are eliminated with urines. At a systemic level, chronic trace metal release (especially Co and Cr) could potentially cause adverse biological effects, but no data from literature are available on toxic effects specifically related to metal ions released by arthroplasties. In this framework, aim of the study was to evaluate serum and urine levels of Co, Cr, Mn, Mo and Ni in patients who had undergone metal-on-metal hybrid surface arthroplasties on the supposition that a higher release of metal ions would occur due to the large head size of this type of implant. Furthermore, we evaluated possible quantitative changes in two type-1 cytokines (IL-2, INF-a) and one type-2 cytokine (IL-4).