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Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 106-B, Issue SUPP_16 | Pages 13 - 13
19 Aug 2024
DeBenedetti A Weintraub MT Valle CJD Jacobs JJ Nam D
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The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate serum metal levels in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a conventional compared to a modular dual-mobility bearing.

Patients undergoing primary THA for osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either a modular dual-mobility or conventional polyethylene bearing. All patients received the same titanium acetabular and femoral component and a ceramic femoral head. Serum metal levels were drawn pre-operatively then annually for a minimum of two years postoperatively. An a priori power analysis determined that 40 patients (20 per cohort) were needed to identify a clinically relevant difference in serum cobalt of 0.35 ng/ml (ppb) at 90% power.

Forty-six patients were randomized to a modular dual-mobility (n=25) or conventional bearing (n=21) with 40 at a minimum follow-up of two years. No differences in serum cobalt (mean 0.14 ppb [range, 0.075–0.29] vs. 0.20 ppb [range, 0.075–0.57], p=0.39) or chromium levels (mean 0.14 ppb [range, 0.05–0.50] vs. 0.12 ppb [range, 0.05–0.35], p=0.65) were identified between the modular dual-mobility and conventional cohorts, respectively.

There was no statistically significant difference in serum Co or Cr at two years postoperatively in subjects implanted with a ceramic head and this particular dual mobility bearing in comparison to a ceramic head and a conventional acetabular component. While modest expected elevations in serum Co and Cr were observed in the dual mobility group, in no case did the Co level exceed the laboratory reference range nor the threshold of one part per billion that has been associated with adverse local tissue reactions to mechanically-assisted crevice corrosion.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 106-B, Issue SUPP_16 | Pages 66 - 66
19 Aug 2024
Terhune EB Sutter EG Balkissoon R Pallante GD Specht L Leikin JB Kwon YM Lewallen DG Gerlinger TL Jacobs JJ
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Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) articulations in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have low wear, but the unique risk of fracture. After revision for CoC fracture, ceramic third bodies can lead to runaway wear of cobalt chrome (CoCr) causing extremely elevated blood cobalt. We present five cases of ceramic liner fractures revised to a CoCr head associated with the rapid development of severe cobalt toxicity.

We identified 5 cases of fractured CoC THA treated with revision to CoCr on highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) – three to conventional bearings and two to modular dual mobility bearings (CoCr acetabular liner, CoCr femoral head, and HXLPE). Mean follow up was 2.5 years after CoCr/HXLPE re-revision.

Symptoms of cobalt toxicity occurred at average 9.5 months after revision for ceramic fracture (range 6–12). All patients developed vision and hearing loss, balance difficulties, and peripheral neuropathy. Several had cardiomyopathy, endocrinopathy, and local skin discoloration. Two reported hip pain. Re-revision for cobalt toxicity occurred at an average of 22 months (range 10–36) after revision for ceramic fracture. Average serum cobalt level at re-revision was 991 μg/L (range 734–1302, normal <1 μg/L). All CoCr heads exhibited massive wear with asphericity; deep tissues exhibited prominent metallosis. Treatment consisted of debridement and revision to a ceramic head with HXLPE. Serum cobalt improved to an average of 25 μg/L at final follow up. All patients reported partial improvement in vision and hearing; peripheral neuropathy and balance did not recover.

Systemic cobalt toxicity is a rare but devastating complication of ceramic fracture in THA treated with cobalt-alloy bearings. Cobalt alloy bearings should be avoided in this setting. The diagnosis of systemic cobalt toxicity requires a high index of suspicion and was typically delayed following systemic symptoms. Debridement and revision to a ceramic-on-HXLPE leads to improvement but not resolution of cobalt toxicity complications.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 106-B, Issue SUPP_16 | Pages 11 - 11
19 Aug 2024
Hamilton JL Gianotti S Impergre A AbuAlia M Markovics A Jacobs JJ Valle CJD Wimmer MA
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We created TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) on the surface of titanium (Ti) implants with subsequential loading with gentamicin and chitosan, acting as a control release agent, by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). We hypothesized femoral implants with TNTs loaded with gentamicin and chitosan would localize antibiotic to the implant and surgical site and prevent PJI in a mouse model.

Ti-6Al-4V ELI wires underwent TNT surface modification by two-step anodization. EPD was then used to load gentamicin and chitosan onto the Ti wire with surface TNTs. Control Ti wires contained TNTs with EPD of chitosan only. 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice underwent received a right femoral intramedullary implant followed by inoculation at the surgical site with 1×103 CFUs of bioluminescent Xen36 Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Mice were randomly divided into two implant groups: 1) Gentamicin + Chitosan Group (n=7; experimental group); 2) Chitosan Group (n=7; control group). Outcomes included: 1) Relative S. aureus abundance by bioluminescence imaging; 2) Quantification of S. aureus at the implant and surrounding tissue by colony forming unit (CFU) analysis; 3) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for implant bacterial biofilm; 4) Radiographic signs of PJI.

Over 14 days assessment following wire implantation and inoculation with S. aureus, the experimental group had no evidence of infection based on i) no increased Xen36 S. aureus bioluminescence signal and ii) no CFUs present. All control had increased bioluminescence signal, above baseline, at all time-points and presence of CFUs.

Ti femoral implants modified with surface TNTs and coated with gentamicin and chitosan through EPD prevented PJI in all mice through 14 days. In comparison, all control mice demonstrated evidence of PJI over 14 days. Implants with TNTs and EPD of gentamicin were highly effective in this mouse PJI model.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 105-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 32 - 32
23 Jun 2023
Jacobs JJ Agarwal P Leurgans SE Agrawal S Ayton S Bush AI Hall DJ Schneider J Pourzal R
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Both total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are prevalent in elderly populations. It is the goal of this study to determine if the presence of implant metals originating from TJA correlates with the onset with higher implant metal content in the brain and AD pathology.

Tissue samples from four brain regions of 701 (229 with TJA) participants from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study (Rush Memory and Aging Project) was analyzed including the inferior-temporal-cortex (ITC), which is associated with early onset of AD. Implant metal (Co, Cr, Mo, Ti, Al) content was determined by ICP-MS. Comparisons were conducted between the no-TJA-group and a TJA group. Due to the higher likelihood of Co release the TJA group was further differentiated in a THA (N=146) and a TKA/TSA (N=83) group. Diffuse and neuritic amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau were assessed and summarized as standard measures of AD pathology. We used separate linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and APOɛ4-status for the associations of all metals (log-transformed) with global AD pathology, amyloid plaques, and phosphorylated tau.

The THA group had higher cobalt content across all brain regions (p=0.003) and within the ITC (p=0.051) compared to the no-TJA group, whereas the TKA/TSA group did not. Across all tissue samples, Co was associated with higher amyloid load (β=0.35, p=0.027), phosphorylated tau (β=0.47, p=0.011), and global AD pathology (β=0.19, 0.0004) in the ITC. The presence of TJA itself was not associated with AD pathology.

We showed that only Co content was higher within the ITC in persons with THA. We found among all tested metals that Co was consistently associated with AD pathology. Although we found an association of cobalt with AD pathology, the cross-sectional nature of this study does not allow the determination of cause and effect.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 103-B, Issue SUPP_14 | Pages 21 - 21
1 Nov 2021
DeBenedetti A Della Valle CJ Jacobs JJ Nam D
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The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate serum metal ion levels in patients undergoing THA with either a standard or modular dual-mobility bearing.

Patients undergoing primary THA for osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either a modular dual-mobility or a standard polyethylene bearing. All patients received the same titanium acetabular and femoral component and a ceramic femoral head. Only patients without a prior history of metal implants in their body were eligible for inclusion, thus isolating serum metal ions to the prosthesis itself. Serum metal ion levels were drawn pre-operatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Power analysis determined that 40 patients (20 in each group) were needed to identify a clinically relevant difference in serum cobalt of 0.35 ng/ml (ppb) at 90% power assuming a pooled standard deviation of 0.31 ppb and alpha=0.05; an additional 30% were enrolled to account for potential dropouts.

53 patients were enrolled, with 22 patients in the modular dual-mobility group and 20 in the standard cohort with data available at one-year. No differences in the serum cobalt (0.17 ppb [range 0.07 to 0.50] vs. 0.19 ppb [range 0.07 to 0.62], p = 0.51) or chromium levels (0.19 ppb [range 0.05 to 0.56] vs. 0.16 ppb [range 0.05 to 0.61], p = 0.23) were identified.

At 1 year postoperatively, no differences in serum cobalt or chromium levels were identified with this design of a modular dual mobility bearing when compared to a standard polyethylene bearing.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 8 | Pages 1438 - 1438
1 Aug 2021
Gustafson JA Pourzal R Levine BR Jacobs JJ Lundberg HJ


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 6 Supple A | Pages 51 - 58
1 Jun 2021
Yang J Heckmann ND Nahhas CR Salzano MB Ruzich GP Jacobs JJ Paprosky WG Rosenberg AG Nam D

Aims

Recent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs have featured more anatomical morphologies and shorter tibial keels. However, several reports have raised concerns about the impact of these modifications on implant longevity. The aim of this study was to report the early performance of a modern, cemented TKA design.

Methods

All patients who received a primary, cemented TKA between 2012 and 2017 with a minimum two-year follow-up were included. The implant investigated features an asymmetrical tibial baseplate and shortened keel. Patient demographic details, Knee Society Scores (KSS), component alignment, and the presence of radiolucent lines at final follow-up were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate survivorship.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 102-B, Issue SUPP_9 | Pages 66 - 66
1 Oct 2020
Yang J Heckmann ND Nahhas CR Salzano MB Ruzich GP Jacobs JJ Paprosky WG Rosenberg AG Nam D
Full Access

Introduction

Recent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs have featured more anatomic morphologies and shorter tibial keels. However, several reports have raised concerns regarding the impact of these modifications on implant longevity. This study's purpose is to report the early performance of a modern, cemented TKA design.

Methods

All patients who received a primary, cemented TKA from 2012 to 2017 with a minimum two-year follow-up were included. This implant features an asymmetric tibial baseplate and a shortened keel. Patient demographics, Knee Society Scores (KSS), and component alignment were recorded, and Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses were performed.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 102-B, Issue SUPP_10 | Pages 45 - 45
1 Oct 2020
Jacobs JJ McCarthy SM Hall DJ Levine BR Lundberg HJ Pourzal R
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Introduction

Total hip replacement failure due to fretting-corrosion remains a clinical concern. We recently described that damage within CoCrMo femoral heads can occur either by mechanically-dominated fretting processes leading to imprinting (via rough trunnions) and surface fretting (via smooth trunnions), or by a chemically-dominated etching process along preferential corrosion sites, termed “column damage”. These corrosion sites occur due to banding of the alloy microstructure. Banding is likely caused during thermo-mechanical processing of the alloy and is characterized by local molybdenum depletion. It was the objective of this study to quantify material loss from femoral heads with severe corrosion, identify the underlying damage modes, and to correlate the damage to the alloy's microstructure.

Methods

105 femoral heads with a Goldberg score 4 were evaluated. Coordinate measuring machine data was used to compute material loss and visualize damage features. Time in situ and stem alloy were identified. Metallographic samples were produced for each case. Grain size and banding were identified using light-microscopy. Mann-Whitney tests were conducted to compare material loss between groups.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 33 - 40
1 Jul 2020
Gustafson JA Pourzal R Levine BR Jacobs JJ Lundberg HJ

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a novel computational model for estimating head/stem taper mechanics during different simulated assembly conditions.

Methods

Finite element models of generic cobalt-chromium (CoCr) heads on a titanium stem taper were developed and driven using dynamic assembly loads collected from clinicians. To verify contact mechanics at the taper interface, comparisons of deformed microgroove characteristics (height and width of microgrooves) were made between model estimates with those measured from five retrieved implants. Additionally, these models were used to assess the role of assembly technique—one-hit versus three-hits—on the taper interlock mechanical behaviour.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 1 - 2
1 Jul 2020
Della Valle CJ Jacobs JJ


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 6 Supple A | Pages 129 - 137
1 Jun 2020
Knowlton CB Lundberg HJ Wimmer MA Jacobs JJ

Aims

A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted to compare directly volumetric wear of retrieved polyethylene inserts to predicted volumetric wear modelled from individual gait mechanics of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients.

Methods

In total, 11 retrieved polyethylene tibial inserts were matched with gait analysis testing performed on those patients. Volumetric wear on the articular surfaces was measured using a laser coordinate measure machine and autonomous reconstruction. Knee kinematics and kinetics from individual gait trials drove computational models to calculate medial and lateral tibiofemoral contact paths and forces. Sliding distance along the contact path, normal forces and implantation time were used as inputs to Archard’s equation of wear to predict volumetric wear from gait mechanics. Measured and modelled wear were compared for each component.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 101-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 13 - 13
1 Oct 2019
Gustafson JA Levine BR Jacobs JJ Pourzal R Lundberg HJ
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Introduction

Improper seating during head/stem assembly can lead to unintended micromotion between the femoral head and stem taper—resulting in fretting corrosion and implant failure.1 There is no consensus—either by manufacturers or by the surgical community—on what head/stem taper assembly method maximizes modular junction stability in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A 2018 clinical survey2 found that orthopedic surgeons prefer applying one strike or three, subsequent strikes when assembling head/stem taper. However, it has been suggested that additional strikes may lead to decreased interference strength. Additionally, the taper surface finish—micro-grooves—has been shown to affect taper interference strength and may be influenced by assembly method. The objective of this study was to employ a novel, micro-grooved finite element (FEA) model of the hip taper interface and assess the role of head/stem assembly method—one vs three strikes—on modular taper junction stability.

Methods

A two-dimensional, axisymmetric FEA model representative of a CoCrMo femoral head taper and Ti6Al4V stem taper was created using median geometrical measurements taken from over 100 retrieved implants.3 Surface finish—micro-grooves—of the head/stem taper were modeled using a sinusoidal function with amplitude and period corresponding to retrieval measurements of micro-groove height and spacing, respectively. Two stem taper micro-groove geometries— “rough” and “smooth”—were modeled corresponding to the median and 5th percentile height and spacing measurements from retrievals. All models had a 3' (0.05°), proximal-locked angular mismatch between the tapers.

To simulate implant assembly during surgery, multiple dynamic loads (4kN, 8kN, and 12kN) were applied to the femoral head taper in a sequence of one or three strikes. The input load profile (Figure 1) used for both cases was collected from surgeons assembling an experimental setup with a three-dimensional load sensor. Models were assembled and meshed in ABAQUS Standard (v 6.17) using four-node linear hexahedral, reduced integration elements. Friction was modeled between the stem and head taper using surface-to-surface formulation with penalty contact (µ=0.2). A total of 12 implicit, dynamic simulations (3 loads × 2 assembly sequences × 2 stem taper surface finishes) were run, with 2 static simulations at 4kN for evaluating inertial effects. Outcome variables included contact area, contact pressure, equivalent plastic strain, and pull-off force.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 101-B, Issue SUPP_11 | Pages 48 - 48
1 Oct 2019
Jacobs JJ Knowlton CB Lundberg HJ Wimmer MA
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Introduction

Studies of retrieved total knee replacement (TKR) components demonstrate that in vivo wear on the articular surface of polyethylene liners exhibits a much higher variability than their in vitro counterparts tested on simulators.1 Only one study has attempted to validate a patient-specific model of wear with a clinically retrieved component.2 The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between observed TKR contact conditions during gait and measured volume loss on retrieved tibial components.

Methods

Eleven retrieved ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) cruciate-retaining tibial liner components from ten separate patients (implantation time = 8.6±5.6 years) had matching gait trials of normal level walking for each knee. Volume loss on retrieved components was calculated using a coordinate measuring machine and autonomous reconstruction.3 Motion analysis of normal level walking gait had been conducted between 1986 and 2005 for various previous studies and stored in a consented Human Mechanics Repository, ranging from pre-operative to long-term post-operative testing. Contact location between the femoral component and the tibial component on the medial and lateral plateaus were calculated throughout stance.4 A previously validated and fine-tuned parametric numerical model was used to calculate TKR contact forces for each gait trial.5 Vertical contact forces and contact paths on the medial and lateral plateaus were input as normal force and sliding distance to a simplified Archard equation for wear with material wear constant = 2.42 × 10−7 mm3/Nm2,6 to compute average wear per gait cycle. Wear rates were calculated using linear regression, and Pearson correlation examined correlations between modeled and measured wear.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 100-B, Issue SUPP_12 | Pages 51 - 51
1 Oct 2018
Simon JC Della Valle CJ Wimmer MA Jacobs JJ
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Introduction

This study explores whether subjects with bicruciate retaining TKRs (BiCR) have more normal knee biomechanics during level walking and stair ascent than subjects with posterior cruciate retaining TKRs (PCR). Due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) preservation, we expect BiCR subjects will not show the reduced flexion and altered muscle activation patterns characteristic of persons with TKRs.

Methods

Motion and electromyography (EMG) data were collected during level walking and stair climbing for 16 BiCR subjects (4/12 m/f, 65±3 years, 30.7±7.0 BMI, 8/8 R/L), 17 PCR subjects (2/15 m/f, 65±7 years, 30.4±5.1 BMI, 7/10 R/L), and 17 elderly healthy control subjects (8/9 m/f, 55±10 years, 25.8±4.0 BMI, 10/7 R/L), using the point cluster marker set. Surface EMG electrodes were placed on the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. EMG data are reported as percent relative voluntary contraction (%RVC), normalized to the average peak EMG signals during level walking. Statistical nonparametric mapping was used for waveform analysis.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 98-B, Issue 1 | Pages 6 - 13
1 Jan 2016
Cheung AC Banerjee S Cherian JJ Wong F Butany J Gilbert C Overgaard C Syed K Zywiel MG Jacobs JJ Mont MA

Recently, the use of metal-on-metal articulations in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to an increase in adverse events owing to local soft-tissue reactions from metal ions and wear debris. While the majority of these implants perform well, it has been increasingly recognised that a small proportion of patients may develop complications secondary to systemic cobalt toxicity when these implants fail. However, distinguishing true toxicity from benign elevations in cobalt ion levels can be challenging.

The purpose of this two part series is to review the use of cobalt alloys in THA and to highlight the following related topics of interest: mechanisms of cobalt ion release and their measurement, definitions of pathological cobalt ion levels, and the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment of cobalt toxicity. Historically, these metal-on-metal arthroplasties are composed of a chromium-cobalt articulation.

The release of cobalt is due to the mechanical and oxidative stresses placed on the prosthetic joint. It exerts its pathological effects through direct cellular toxicity.

This manuscript will highlight the pathophysiology of cobalt toxicity in patients with metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties.

Take home message: Patients with new or evolving hip symptoms with a prior history of THA warrant orthopaedic surgical evaluation. Increased awareness of the range of systemic symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity, coupled with prompt orthopaedic intervention, may forestall the development of further complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:6–13.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 98-B, Issue 1 | Pages 14 - 20
1 Jan 2016
Zywiel MG Cherian JJ Banerjee S Cheung AC Wong F Butany J Gilbert C Overgaard C Syed K Jacobs JJ Mont MA

As adverse events related to metal on metal hip arthroplasty have been better understood, there has been increased interest in toxicity related to the high circulating levels of cobalt ions. However, distinguishing true toxicity from benign elevations in cobalt levels can be challenging. The purpose of this review is to examine the use of cobalt alloys in total hip arthroplasty, to review the methods of measuring circulating cobalt levels, to define a level of cobalt which is considered pathological and to review the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment of cobalt toxicity. To the best of our knowledge, there are 18 published cases where cobalt metal ion toxicity has been attributed to the use of cobalt-chromium alloys in hip arthroplasty. Of these cases, the great majority reported systemic toxic reactions at serum cobalt levels more than 100 μg/L. This review highlights some of the clinical features of cobalt toxicity, with the goal that early awareness may decrease the risk factors for the development of cobalt toxicity and/or reduce its severity.

Take home message: Severe adverse events can arise from the release of cobalt from metal-on-metal arthroplasties, and as such, orthopaedic surgeons should not only be aware of the presenting problems, but also have the knowledge to treat appropriately.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:14–20.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 37 - 37
1 Dec 2013
Silverton C Jacobs JJ Devitt J Cooper J
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Background

There are numerous concerns associated with femoral stems that feature a modular neck design, including the potential for corrosion, modular neck fracture, and adverse local tissue reactions. These stems have a higher-than-anticipated rate of failure in registry results, but large single-center cohort studies are lacking.

Methods

This is a retrospective, single-surgeon cohort of 133 hips in 119 patients implanted with a single dual-tapered titanium alloy stem with a modular titanium alloy neck (Profemur® Z; Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN). Several bearing surface combinations were used, including metal-on-polyethylene, ceramic-on-polyethylene, metal-on-metal, and ceramic-on-ceramic couples. Patients were evaluated at a mean of 4.5 years (range 2.0–9.0 years) with Harris Hip scores (HHS), radiographic analysis, and metal ion testing.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 483 - 483
1 Dec 2013
Porter D Urban R Jacobs JJ Rodriguez J Cooper J
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There is renewed concern surrounding the potential for corrosion at the modular head-neck junction to cause early failure in modern hip implants. Although taper corrosion involves a complex interplay of many factors, previous studies have correlated decreasing flexural rigidity of the femoral trunnion with an increased likelihood of corrosion at retrieval. A multicenter retrieval analysis of 85 modular femoral stems was performed to calculate the flexural rigidity of various femoral trunnions. Stems were implanted between 1991–2012 and retrieved between 2004–2012. There were 10 different taper designs from 16 manufacturers. Digital calipers were used to measure taper geometries by two independent observers. Mean flexural rigidity was 262 Nm2, however there was a wide range of values among the various stems spanning nearly an order of magnitude between the most flexible (80 Nm2) and most rigid (623 Nm2) trunnions, which was due in part to the taper geometry and in part to the material properties of the base alloy. There was a modest but significant negative correlation between flexural rigidity of the trunnion and release date of the stem. This wide variability in flexural rigidity may predispose particular stem designs to an increased risk of corrosion at the modular head-neck taper, and may in part explain why taper corrosion is being seen with increasing frequency in modern hip arthroplasty.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_34 | Pages 274 - 274
1 Dec 2013
Cooper J Urban R Deirmengian C Paprosky W Jacobs JJ
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Introduction

Taper corrosion at modular junctions can cause a spectrum of adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) in the periprosthetic soft tissues in patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA). Because these reactions are usually painful, taper corrosion has become part of the differential diagnosis of hip pain following THA. However these destructive lesions may not always cause pain, and can occasionally result in other atypical presentations. The purpose of this study is to describe a cohort of patients presenting with late and recurrent instability following THA due to underlying ALTR and taper corrosion.

Methods

This is a multicenter retrospective case series of fourteen patients presenting with late instability secondary to ALTR and corrosion at the modular head-neck taper. The cohort included nine women and five men with a mean age of 66.8 years (range, 49 to 74). All patients had a metal (CoCr)-on-polyethylene bearing surface, but had a range of CoCr and Ti-alloy stem designs from three different manufacturers. Seven patients had 28 mm heads, while the rest had 32–40 mm heads. Patients experienced a mean of 3.4 dislocations (range, 2 to 6) at an average of 5.2 years (range, 0.4 to 17.0) following their index surgery. Although most reported some degree of discomfort around the hip, instability was the primary presenting symptom in all fourteen patients, and four were otherwise completely asymptomatic. Serum metal levels demonstrated a greater elevation of cobalt (mean 3.13 ng/mL) than chromium (mean 2.33 ng/mL). Preoperative infection workup including serum inflammatory markers and a hip aspiration documented the absence of sepsis.