A longitudinal study was done assessing the latest radiographs available in a series of collarless Corail uncemented stems which have reported survival rates of 95% at 20 years. Parameters scored included the degree of “Ghosting” or delamination, the Gruen, the stem fit in the femoral canal and the degree of calcar resorption. Patient and implant demographics were noted. At 3 years the loosening rate was 23% reaching 64% at 6 years after the index procedure. It was present in all age groups, with a peak in the 24 to 49 year age group. Males and females had the same occurrence. When it was present this was always in zone 1. It was present in 6% of patients in zone 7, but then always associated with zone 1 changes. High and standard off-set stems had the same loosening rates. The looser fit of the stem the higher the incidence of loosening. There was no correlation to the type of bearing surface or the degree of calcar resorption. Those patients with a BMI of 25 – 35 had lower loosening rates compared to those with higher or lower BMI's. We postulate that cancellous bone on-growth onto the hydroxyapatite coating associated with loading flexural micro-motion leads to hydroxyapatite being pulled off the smooth stem substrate in zone 1. Progressive delamination of the hydroxyapatite then occurs. The triple-tapered design though imparts continued stability. We report high loosening rates in the Corail stem and suggest a mechanism for its development.
Whole blood metal ion levels remain a concern in those patients undergoing total hip replacement with metal bearing surfaces. The determination of baseline reference levels are essential if useful information can be gleaned from in vivo studies of functioning implants. We set out to prospectively determine chromium and cobalt metal ion concentrations in patients undergoing total hip replacement to determine reference levels of these metal ions. 100 patients with normal renal function, no occupational or environmental exposure to cobalt and chromium, and an absence of implanted metals were recruited into the study. Metal ion levels were determined using two different assay methods. Both ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy) and GFAAS (Graphite Furnace Atomic Adsorption Spectroscopy) are well recognized analytical techniques for the quantification of trace elements. Levels were correlated with gender, age and place of residence. There was considerable variability in whole blood metal ion levels, with the ICPMS being more sensitive and consistent than the GFAAS method. Direct comparison of concentration levels determined by the two methods revealed no significant correlation. There was no correlation with age, gender and place of residence Our findings would favour the use of the ICP-MS to determine reference levels and as a baseline for metal ion surveillance pre-operatively in patients undergoing metal-on-metal total hip replacements. We also determined that changes in whole blood metal ion levels are more significant than actual levels in patients who have undergone total hip replacement.
