Neck-stem corrosion has been associated with Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR) in dual-taper femoral stems. Several diagnostic tests, of varying specificity and sensitivity, are used to identify ALTR. The purpose of this study was to document the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and surgical findings in a large cohort of patients with dual modular stems, and use this information to propose an evaluation protocol that assists surgical decision-making. This is a single center, single surgeon's retrospective case series of 38 patients who underwent 42 primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a dual-taper femoral components between March 2010 and May 2011 The evaluation included clinical exam, hip radiographs, labs including serum metal ion levels, metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS MRI), and fluoroscopic hip aspiration with qualitative and quantitative assessment of synovial fluid. Each hip aspirate was classified into Class 1 (clear, <10cc), 2(brown, clear, >10cc), or 3 (cloudy, turbid, viscous). 20 patients to date have undergone revision THA.Introduction
Methods
The addition of neck-stem modularity of femoral components allowed for increased versatility in controlling stability, head center, and limb length in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent reports of neck-stem corrosion, complicated by adverse local tissue reaction, have raised concern and prompted further patient evaluation for revision arthroplasty. This was a single center, retrospective case series of thirteen hips in twelve patients. The cohort included eight women and four men, with an average age of 69.5 years (range 50–82), who underwent primary THA with a dual-taper femoral component with a titanium alloy stem, cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy modular neck and CoCr alloy head. Patients were followed an average of 34.3 months postsurgical (range 24–38.5 months). Each patient underwent serologic studies including metal ion levels, and Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence (MARS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Ultrasound. All patients were then referred for fluoro-assisted hip aspiration. Four patients underwent revision surgery.Introduction:
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