title: Can a safe level for metal ions in patients with metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties be determined?
abstract: The single most significant obstacle preventing a broader application of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties continues to be the concerns regarding elevated metal ion levels in the blood and urine of patients with this bearing. A safe level for metal ions has yet to be defined for patients with metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties. A review of occupational exposure data gives some insight; however, longitudinal studies of large numbers of patients with metal-on-metal implants will ultimately be required to answer specific clinical concerns.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Western Ontario & London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012016:Reference Values; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt