Comparative surface examinations on corund blasted titanium implants and explants in total hip arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND
Blasting techniques using corundum to create rough surfaces are used in many different processes for the surface treatment of hip implants. Recent evidence points an association between residual particles and early loosenings in the sense of third-body wear.


METHODS
The surfaces of five unused, original-packaged CLS stems and ARR-Titan supporting rings, respectively, were compared with five explanted CLS stems and ARR-Titan supporting rings.


RESULTS
The surface of the ARR-Titan supporting rings was adhered to Al2O3 particles at 23.2+/-2.5% on the implants and 12.3+/-3.0% on the explants (P < 0.0001). For the CLS stem, the surface to which Al2O3 particles adhered was 16.4+/-2.2 % on the implants, whereas the surface to which Al2O3 particles adhered was 12.4+/-3.3% on the explants (P = 0.0275).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that corundum particles can be found to cover a high percentage on rough-blasted titanium surfaces of ready-to-use devices. In contrast, this contamination is significantly less on the explants treated in an identical fashion prior to implantation.
Schuh
Alexander
A
Orthopedic Clinic Rummelsberg, Schwarzenbruck, Germany. Schuh-Alexander@t-online.de
Uter
Wolfgang
W
Kachler
Werner
W
Göske
Jürgen
J
Zeiler
Günther
G
Lill
Christoph
C
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020878:Device Removal; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014025:Titanium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide