title: Metal-on-metal local tissue reaction is associated with corrosion of the head taper junction.
abstract: We evaluated taper corrosion in 36-mm diameter metal-on-metal (MOM) and metal-on-polyethylene (MOP) femoral heads from a single manufacturer retrieved for various reasons. Three reviewers visually graded taper corrosion with a 5-point scale on 19 MOM heads and 14 MOP heads. The MOM group had a higher corrosion score than the MOP group (mean, 3.5 vs 1.9; P < .001). There were 8 MOM heads (42%) and only 1 MOP head (7%) that demonstrated corrosion outside of the taper zone. Metal-on-metal patients revised secondary to adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs) had greater scores than patients without ALTRs (mean, 4.36 vs 2.38; P < .01). Adverse local tissue reactions MOM patients were also likely to have corrosion outside of the taper junction. The corrosion score increased with implantation time, and at all time intervals, the corrosion score for the MOM group was greater. Because corrosion worsens with time, we are concerned that MOM ALTR failures will increase with longer follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Inova Center for Joint Replacement, Mount Vernon Hospital, Alexandria, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Fricka
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Peace
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Engh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003343:Corrosion; D005260:Female; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061825:Metal-on-Metal Joint Prostheses / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000009:adverse effects*