The effect of the diameter of metal-on-metal bearings on systemic exposure to cobalt and chromium.
The recent resurgence in the use of metal-on-metal bearings has led to fresh concerns over metal wear and elevated systemic levels of metal ions. In order to establish if bearing diameter influences the release of metal ions, we compared the whole blood levels of cobalt and chromium (at one year) and the urinary cobalt and chromium output (at one to three and four to six years) following either a 50 mm or 54 mm Birmingham hip resurfacing or a 28 mm Metasul total hip replacement. The whole blood concentrations and daily output of cobalt and chromium in these time periods for both bearings were in the same range and without significant difference.
The McMinn Centre, 25 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3DP, UK. josephdaniel@mcminncentre.co.uk
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Daniel
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McMinn
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors
D002857:Chromium; D003035:Cobalt