Metal-on-metal : ion levels as an intervention strategy

Due to the wear-related problems with large diameter metal-on-metal THA components, ion levels of cobalt and chromium in blood or serum are used to identify bearings with high-wear rates. Threshold levels for critical concentrations for these two alloys are published and quite frequently revised. Patients and doctors are confused, if measured values are close to thresholds. A new approach is presented by an international expert panel endorsed by EFFORT and several national organizations suggesting the use of a range instead of a specific value as threshold. This approach supports the philosophy that metal ion concentrations by themselves are not a diagnosis but one - important - piece in the assessment of a patient with a metal-on-metal hip articulation.

Subjects

Adverse effects

Ions

Large heads

Metal-on-metal

Resurfacing

Wear

DDC Class

610: Medicine, Health

620: Engineering

Options

Metal-on-metal : ion levels as an intervention strategy