title: Does Metal Transfer Differ on Retrieved Ceramic and CoCr Femoral Heads?
abstract: Metal transfer has been observed on retrieved THA femoral heads for both CoCr and ceramic bearing materials. In vitro wear testing has shown increased wear to polyethylene acetabular liners with the presence of metal transfer. This study sought to investigate the extent of metal transfer on the bearing surface of CoCr and ceramic femoral heads and identify prevalent morphologies. Three bearing couple cohorts: M-PE (n = 50), C-PE (n = 35), and C-C (n = 15), were derived from two previously matched collections (n = 50/group) of CoCr and ceramic femoral heads. From the three cohorts, 75% of the femoral heads showed visual evidence of metal transfer. These femoral heads were analyzed using direct measurement, digital photogrammetry, and white light interferometry. Surface area coverage and curved median surface area were similar among the three cohorts. The most prevalent metal transfer patterns observed were random stripes (n = 21/75), longitudinal stripes (n = 17/75), and random patches (n = 13/75). Metal transfer arc length was shorter in the M-PE cohort. Understanding the morphology of metal transfer may be useful for more realistic recreation of metal transfer in in vitro pin-on-disk and joint simulators studies.
authors.affiliation: Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Eliza K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fredette
authors.affiliation: Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA ; Exponent, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Underwood
authors.affiliation: Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Antonia F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement, The Rubin Institute of Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mont
authors.affiliation: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Gwo-Chin
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Hartzband Center for Hip and Knee Replacement, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA.
authors.forename: Gregg R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Center for the Evaluation of Implant Performance, Departments of Orthopaedics and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Clare M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rimnac
authors.affiliation: Implant Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA ; Exponent, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kurtz
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005270:Femur Head / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys