title: A physical examination of orthopaedic implants and asjacent tissue.
abstract: This paper reports a metallurgical study of five metal-on-metal total hip replacements removed from patients because of varying degrees of loss of bone substance and/or proven sensitivity to Ni and Cr. Evidence of corrosion of the Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy used to fabricate the prostheses was found. It is suggested that the products of this corrosion may alter the balance of bone formation/resorption to produce a loss of bone substance. An unusual tissue response which included rod-like particles (1-2 micron long x 0.2 micron in cross section), of possible immunological origin, was seen on examination of the articulating surface of one of the prostheses by scanning electron microscopy.
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000497:Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000187:drug effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys