Potential systemic toxicity of metal ions from metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties (MoMHA) is concerning. High blood cobalt (Co) levels have been associated with neurological, cardiac and thyroid dysfunctions. The aim of this research was to investigate the prevalence of systemic Co toxicity in a MoMHA population, to identify confounding factors, and to indicate a Co level above which there is a high risk for systemic toxicity.Background:
Questions/purposes:
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacings (MoMHRAs) have a characteristic wear pattern initially characterised by a run-in period, followed by a lower-wear steady-state. The use of metal ions as surrogate markers of in-vivo wear is now recommended as a screening tool for the in-vivo performance of MoMHRAs. The aims of this retrospective study were to measure ion levels in MoMHRAs at different stages during the steady-state in order to study the evolution of wear at minimum 10 years postoperatively and describe factors that affect it. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the minimum 10-year survivorship of a single-surgeon Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) series, and the evolution of metal ion levels. Implant survival, Harris Hip Scores (HHS), radiographs and serum metal ion levels were assessed. The evolution of metal ion levels was evaluated in 80 patients for whom at least two ion measurements were available at more than 12 months postoperatively, i.e. past the run-in phase. Ion level change (Delta Cr; Delta Co) was defined as Cr or Co level at last assessment minus Cr or Co level at initial assessment. Sub-analysis was performed by gender, diagnosis, age, femoral component size and cup inclination angle.Introduction
Materials and methods
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MoMHRA) requires a new standardized radiographic evaluation protocol. Evaluation of the acetabular component is similar to total hip arthroplasty but the femoral component requires different criteria since there is no component in the femoral canal and the metallic femoral implant overlies the junctions between bone-cement and cement-prosthesis. Lucencies around the metaphyseal HRA femoral stem can be described with the femoral zonal system into 3 peg-zones (Amstutz' et al) but this doesn't account for bony changes of the femoral neck away from the stem. This study proposes a new femoral zonal system for radiographic HRA assessment. We tested the efficacy of radiographs in identifying a problem by reviewing 711 radiographs of resurfaced hips and correlating radiographic features to outcome. 611 in-situ HRA (one surgeon) with minimum two radiographs at >12 months postoperatively and 100 revised HRA (55 referred) were assessed for component positioning, reactive lines±cortical thickening±cancellous condensation (borderline) and lucent lines±osteolysis±bone resorption (sinister). Findings around the acetabular implant were classified in six zones: Zones I-III equally distributed acetabular zones (DeLee-Charnley); Zone IV, V and VI situated in the iliac, pubic and ischial bone respectively. Findings around the proximal femur are defined with a new zonal system, dividing the implant-cement-bone interfaces and the femoral neck into 7 areas. Zones 1,7 at the superior and inferior part of the femoral neck-head, zones 2,3 at the proximal and distal halves of the superior aspect of the stem, zone 4 at the tip, zones 5,6 at the distal and proximal inferior aspects of the stem). Radiological findings and zones were correlated with gender, size, survival, Harris Hip Scores (HHS), metal ions, and adverse soft tissue reactions (ALTR).INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Hip resurfacing (HRA) designer centres have reported survivorships between 88.5–96% at 12 years. Arthroplasty Registries (AR) reported less favourable results especially in females gender and small sizes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the minimum 10-year survival and outcome of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) from an independent specialist centre. Since 1998, 1967 BHRs have been implanted in our centre by a single hip resurfacing specialist. The first 249 BHR, implanted between 1999 and 2001 in 232 patients (17 bilateral) were included in this study. The majority of the patients were male (163; 69%). The mean age at surgery was 50.6 years (range: 17–76), with primary OA as most common indication (201; 81%), followed by avascular necrosis (23; 9.2%) and hip dysplasia (11; 4.4%). Mean follow up was 10.2 years (range: 0.1 (revision) to 13.1). Implant survival was established with revision as the end point. Harris Hip Scores (HHS), radiographs and metal ion levels were assessed in all patients. Sub-analysis was performed by gender, diagnosis and femoral component size (Small: <50 mm; Large: ≥50 mm).Introduction
Methods
