Corrosion at the interface of cobalt-alloy heads on titanium-alloy stems.
The combination of a cobalt-alloy head on a titanium-alloy femoral hip stem is widely accepted for press-fit and biologic fixation applications. Examination of 30 components retrieved at periods of 0.5 to 66.9 months for histologic examination of tissue ingrowth revealed that 56.6% of the tapered connections between head and stem showed evidence of crevice corrosion leading to concerns of metal ion release and the potential failure of head to stem fixation.
Collier
J P
JP
Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Center, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755.
Surprenant
V A
VA
Jensen
R E
RE
Mayor
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys / Q000494:pharmacology; D003035:Cobalt / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014025:Titanium / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000497:Alloys; D003035:Cobalt; D014025:Titanium