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Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 5, Issue 11 | Pages 971 - 976
5 Nov 2024
Baker G Hill J O'Neill F McChesney J Stevenson M Beverland D

Aims

In 2015, we published the results of our ceramic-on-metal (CoM) total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed between October 2007 and July 2009 with a mean follow-up of 34 months (23 to 45) and a revision rate of 3.1%. The aim of this paper is to present the longer-term outcomes.

Methods

A total of 264 patients were reviewed at a mean of 5.8 years (4.6 to 7.2) and 10.1 years (9.2 to 10.6) to determine revision rate, pain, outcome scores, radiological analysis, and blood ion levels. Those who were unwilling or unable to travel were contacted by telephone.


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 5, Issue 6 | Pages 514 - 523
24 Jun 2024
Fishley W Nandra R Carluke I Partington PF Reed MR Kramer DJ Wilson MJ Hubble MJW Howell JR Whitehouse SL Petheram TG Kassam AM

Aims

In metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasties and resurfacings, mechanically induced corrosion can lead to elevated serum metal ions, a local inflammatory response, and formation of pseudotumours, ultimately requiring revision. The size and diametral clearance of anatomical (ADM) and modular (MDM) dual-mobility polyethylene bearings match those of Birmingham hip MoM components. If the acetabular component is satisfactorily positioned, well integrated into the bone, and has no surface damage, this presents the opportunity for revision with exchange of the metal head for ADM/MDM polyethylene bearings without removal of the acetabular component.

Methods

Between 2012 and 2020, across two centres, 94 patients underwent revision of Birmingham MoM hip arthroplasties or resurfacings. Mean age was 65.5 years (33 to 87). In 53 patients (56.4%), the acetabular component was retained and dual-mobility bearings were used (DM); in 41 (43.6%) the acetabulum was revised (AR). Patients underwent follow-up of minimum two-years (mean 4.6 (2.1 to 8.5) years).


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 106-B, Issue 6 | Pages 540 - 547
1 Jun 2024
Nandra RS Elnahal WA Mayne A Brash L McBryde CW Treacy RBC

Aims. The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) was introduced in 1997 to address the needs of young active patients using a historically proven large-diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing. A single designer surgeon’s consecutive series of 130 patients (144 hips) was previously reported at five and ten years, reporting three and ten failures, respectively. The aim of this study was to extend the follow-up of this original cohort at 25 years. Methods. The study extends the reporting on the first consecutive 144 resurfacing procedures in 130 patients for all indications. All operations were undertaken between August 1997 and May 1998. The mean age at operation was 52.1 years (SD 9.93; 17 to 76), and included 37 female patients (28.5%). Failure was defined as revision of either component for any reason. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. Routine follow-up with serum metal ion levels, radiographs, and Oxford Hip Scores (OHSs) was undertaken. Results. Overall implant survival was 83.50% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 0.90) at 25 years, and the number at risk was 79. Survival in male patients at 25 years was 89.5% (95% CI 0.83 to 0.96) compared to 66.9% for female patients (95% CI 0.51 to 0.83). Ten additional failures occurred in the period of ten to 25 years. These involved an adverse reaction to metal debris in four patients, a periprosthetic femoral neck fracture affecting five patients, and aseptic loosening in one patient. The median chromium levels were 49.50 nmol/l (interquartile range (IQR) 34 to 70), and the median cobalt serum levels were 42 nmol/l (IQR 24.50 to 71.25). The median OHS at last follow-up was 35 (IQR 10 to 48). During the 25-year study period, 29 patients died. Patient survival at 25 years was 75.10% (95% CI 0.67 to 0.83). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that MoM hip resurfacing using the BHR provides a durable alternative to total hip arthroplasty (THA), particularly in younger male patients with osteoarthritis wishing to maintain a high level of function. These results compare favourably to the best results for THAs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(6):540–547


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 4, Issue 11 | Pages 853 - 858
10 Nov 2023
Subbiah Ponniah H Logishetty K Edwards TC Singer GC

Aims. Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MoM-HR) has seen decreased usage due to safety and longevity concerns. Joint registries have highlighted the risks in females, smaller hips, and hip dysplasia. This study aimed to identify if reported risk factors are linked to revision in a long-term follow-up of MoM-HR performed by a non-designer surgeon. Methods. A retrospective review of consecutive MoM hip arthroplasties (MoM-HRAs) using Birmingham Hip Resurfacing was conducted. Data on procedure side, indication, implant sizes and orientation, highest blood cobalt and chromium ion concentrations, and all-cause revision were collected from local and UK National Joint Registry records. Results. A total of 243 hips (205 patients (163 male, 80 female; mean age at surgery 55.3 years (range 25.7 to 75.3)) with MoM-HRA performed between April 2003 and October 2020 were included. Mean follow-up was 11.2 years (range 0.3 to 17.8). Osteoarthritis was the most common indication (93.8%), and 13 hips (5.3%; 7M:6F) showed dysplasia (lateral centre-edge angle < 25°). Acetabular cups were implanted at a median of 45.4° abduction (interquartile range 41.9° - 48.3°) and stems neutral or valgus to the native neck-shaft angle. In all, 11 hips (4.5%; one male, ten females) in ten patients underwent revision surgery at a mean of 7.4 years (range 2.8 to 14.2), giving a cumulative survival rate of 94.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91.6% to 98.0%) at ten years, and 93.4% (95% CI 89.3% to 97.6%) at 17 years. For aseptic revision, male survivorship was 100% at 17 years, and 89.6% (95% CI 83.1% to 96.7%) at ten and 17 years for females. Increased metal ion levels were implicated in 50% of female revisions, with the remaining being revised for unexplained pain or avascular necrosis. Conclusion. The Birmingham MoM-HR showed 100% survivorship in males, exceeding the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ‘5% at ten years’ threshold. Female sex and small component sizes are independent risk factors. Dysplasia alone is not a contraindication to resurfacing. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):853–858


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 105-B, Issue 7 | Pages 775 - 782
1 Jul 2023
Koper MC Spek RWA Reijman M van Es EM Baart SJ Verhaar JAN Bos PK

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine if an increasing serum cobalt (Co) and/or chromium (Cr) concentration is correlated with a decreasing Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) in patients who received the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), and to evaluate the ten-year revision rate and show if sex, inclination angle, and Co level influenced the revision rate.

Methods

A total of 62 patients with an ASR-HRA were included and monitored yearly postoperatively. At follow-up, serum Co and Cr levels were measured and the HHS and the HOOS were scored. In addition, preoperative patient and implant variables and the need for revision surgery were recorded. We used a linear mixed model to relate the serum Co and Cr levels to different patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). For the survival analyses we used the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model.


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 4, Issue 6 | Pages 408 - 415
1 Jun 2023
Ramkumar PN Shaikh HJF Woo JJ Haeberle HS Pang M Brooks PJ

Aims

The aims of the study were to report for a cohort aged younger than 40 years: 1) indications for HRA; 2) patient-reported outcomes in terms of the modified Harris Hip Score (HHS); 3) dislocation rate; and 4) revision rate.

Methods

This retrospective analysis identified 267 hips from 224 patients who underwent an hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) from a single fellowship-trained surgeon using the direct lateral approach between 2007 and 2019. Inclusion criteria was minimum two-year follow-up, and age younger than 40 years. Patients were followed using a prospectively maintained institutional database.


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 4, Issue 3 | Pages 182 - 187
14 Mar 2023
Sheridan GA Hanlon M Welch-Phillips A Spratt K Hagan R O'Byrne JM Kenny PJ Kurmis AP Masri BA Garbuz DS Hurson CJ

Aims

Hip resurfacing remains a potentially valuable surgical procedure for appropriately-selected patients with optimised implant choices. However, concern regarding high early failure rates continues to undermine confidence in use. A large contributor to failure is adverse local tissue reactions around metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing surfaces. Such phenomena have been well-explored around MoM total hip arthroplasties, but comparable data in equivalent hip resurfacing procedures is lacking. In order to define genetic predisposition, we performed a case-control study investigating the role of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotype in the development of pseudotumours around MoM hip resurfacings.

Methods

A matched case-control study was performed using the prospectively-collected database at the host institution. In all, 16 MoM hip resurfacing 'cases' were identified as having symptomatic periprosthetic pseudotumours on preoperative metal artefact reduction sequence (MARS) MRI, and were subsequently histologically confirmed as high-grade aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesions (ALVALs) at revision surgery. ‘Controls’ were matched by implant type in the absence of evidence of pseudotumour. Blood samples from all cases and controls were collected prospectively for high resolution genetic a nalysis targeting 11 separate HLA loci. Statistical significance was set at 0.10 a priori to determine the association between HLA genotype and pseudotumour formation, given the small sample size.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 104-B, Issue 7 | Pages 852 - 858
1 Jul 2022
Grothe T Günther K Hartmann A Blum S Haselhoff R Goronzy J

Aims

Head-taper corrosion is a cause of failure in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent reports have described an increasing number of V40 taper failures with adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR). However, the real incidence of V40 taper damage and its cause remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term incidence of ALTR in a consecutive series of THAs using a V40 taper and identify potentially related factors.

Methods

Between January 2006 and June 2007, a total of 121 patients underwent THA using either an uncemented (Accolade I, made of Ti12Mo6Zr2Fe; Stryker, USA) or a cemented (ABG II, made of cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo); Stryker) femoral component, both with a V40 taper (Stryker). Uncemented acetabular components (Trident; Stryker) with crosslinked polyethylene liners and CoCr femoral heads of 36 mm diameter were used in all patients. At a mean folllow-up of 10.8 years (SD 1.1), 94 patients (79%) were eligible for follow-up (six patients had already undergone a revision, 15 had died, and six were lost to follow-up). A total of 85 THAs in 80 patients (mean age 61 years (24 to 75); 47 (56%) were female) underwent clinical and radiological evaluation, including the measurement of whole blood levels of cobalt and chrome. Metal artifact reduction sequence MRI scans of the hip were performed in 71 patients.


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 3, Issue 1 | Pages 61 - 67
18 Jan 2022
van Lingen CP Ettema HB Bosker BH Verheyen CCPM

Aims

Large-diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) has demonstrated unexpected high failure rates and pseudotumour formation. The purpose of this prospective cohort study is to report ten-year results in order to establish revision rate, prevalence of pseudotumour formation, and relation with whole blood cobalt levels.

Methods

All patients were recalled according to the guidelines of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association. They underwent clinical and radiographical assessments (radiograph and CT scan) of the hip prosthesis and whole blood cobalt ion measurements. Overall, 94 patients (95 hips) fulfilled our requirements for a minimum ten-year follow-up.


Aims. To establish the survivorship, function, and metal ion levels in an unselected series of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasties (HRAs) performed by a non-designer surgeon. Methods. We reviewed 105 consecutive HRAs in 83 patients, performed by a single surgeon, at a mean follow-up of 14.9 years (9.3 to 19.1). The cohort included 45 male and 38 female patients, with a mean age of 49.5 years (SD 12.5). Results. At the time of review 13 patients with 15 hips had died from causes unrelated to the hip operation, and 14 hips had undergone revision surgery, giving an overall survival rate of rate of 86.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.2 to 89.1). The survival rate in men was 97.7% (95% CI 96.3 to 98.9) and in women was 73.4% (95% CI 70.6 to 75.1). The median head size of the failed group was 42 mm (interquartile range (IQR) 42 to 44), and in the surviving group was 50 mm (IQR 46 to 50). In all, 13 of the 14 revised hips had a femoral component measuring ≤ 46 mm. The mean blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions were 26.6 nmol/l (SD 24.5) and 30.6 nmol/l (SD 15.3), respectively. No metal ion levels exceeded the safe limit. The mean Oxford Hip Score was 41.5 (SD 8.9) and Harris Hip Score was 89.9 (14.8). In the surviving group, four patients had radiolucent lines around the stem of the femoral component, and one had lysis around the acetabular component; eight hips demonstrated heterotopic ossification. Conclusion. Our results confirm the existing understanding that HRA provides good long-term survival and function in patients with adequate-sized femoral heads. This is evidenced by a 97.7% survival rate among men (larger heads) in our series at a mean follow-up of 14.9 years. Failure is closely related to head sizes ≤ 46 cm. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):68–76


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 12 | Pages 1783 - 1790
1 Dec 2021
Montgomery S Bourget-Murray J You DZ Nherera L Khoshbin A Atrey A Powell JN

Aims

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) with dual-mobility components (DM-THA) has been shown to decrease the risk of dislocation in the setting of a displaced neck of femur fracture compared to conventional single-bearing THA (SB-THA). This study assesses if the clinical benefit of a reduced dislocation rate can justify the incremental cost increase of DM-THA compared to SB-THA.

Methods

Costs and benefits were established for patients aged 75 to 79 years over a five-year time period in the base case from the Canadian Health Payer’s perspective. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis assessed the robustness of the base case model conclusions.


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 2, Issue 10 | Pages 858 - 864
18 Oct 2021
Guntin J Plummer D Della Valle C DeBenedetti A Nam D

Aims

Prior studies have identified that malseating of a modular dual mobility liner can occur, with previous reported incidences between 5.8% and 16.4%. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of malseating in dual mobility implants at our institution, assess for risk factors for liner malseating, and investigate whether liner malseating has any impact on clinical outcomes after surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the radiographs of 239 primary and revision total hip arthroplasties with a modular dual mobility liner. Two independent reviewers assessed radiographs for each patient twice for evidence of malseating, with a third observer acting as a tiebreaker. Univariate analysis was conducted to determine risk factors for malseating with Youden’s index used to identify cut-off points. Cohen’s kappa test was used to measure interobserver and intraobserver reliability.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 7 | Pages 1231 - 1237
1 Jul 2021
Manninen E Lainiala O Karsikas M Reito A Jämsä P Eskelinen A

Aims. To find out if there is an inverse association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and whole blood cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) levels in patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasties and renal insufficiency, suggesting that renal insufficiency could cause accumulation of Co and Cr in blood. Methods. Out of 2,520 patients with 3,013 MoM hip arthroplasties, we identified 1,244 patients with whole blood Co, Cr, and creatinine measured within no more than a one-year interval. We analyzed the correlation of blood metal ion levels and eGFR to identify a potential trend of accumulating Co or Cr with decreasing eGFR. Results. Of the 1,244 patients, 112 had normal renal function (eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73 m. 2. ), 715 had mild renal insufficiency (eGFR 60 to 89), 384 had moderate renal insufficiency (eGFR 30 to 59), 27 had severe renal insufficiency (eGFR 15 to 29), and six had end-stage renal insufficiency (eGFR < 15). Median eGFR was 68 ml/min/1.73 m. 2. (interquartile range (IQR) 56 to 82), median whole blood Co was 3.3 µg/l (IQR 1.1 to 9.9), and median Cr was 2.0 µg/l (IQR 1.2 to 3.6). We did not observe an association between decreased eGFR and increased whole blood Co and Cr concentrations, but instead both increased Co and Cr were associated with higher eGFR, indicating better kidney function. Conclusion. As patients with MoM hip arthroplasties get older, the prevalence of renal insufficiency among them will increase, and orthopaedic surgeons will increasingly have to evaluate whether or not this affects patient follow-up. The USA Food and Drug Administration suggests that closer follow-up may be needed for MoM patients with renal insufficiency. We did not observe accumulation of blood Co or Cr in MoM hip arthroplasty patients with mild to severe renal insufficiency. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1231–1237


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 7 | Pages 1238 - 1246
1 Jul 2021
Hemmerling KJ Weitzler L Bauer TW Padgett DE Wright TM

Aims

Dual mobility implants in total hip arthroplasty are designed to increase the functional head size, thus decreasing the potential for dislocation. Modular dual mobility (MDM) implants incorporate a metal liner (e.g. cobalt-chromium alloy) in a metal shell (e.g. titanium alloy), raising concern for mechanically assisted crevice corrosion at the modular liner-shell connection. We sought to examine fretting and corrosion on MDM liners, to analyze the corrosion products, and to examine histologically the periprosthetic tissues.

Methods

A total of 60 retrieved liners were subjectively scored for fretting and corrosion. The corrosion products from the three most severely corroded implants were removed from the implant surface, imaged using scanning electron microscopy, and analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 66 - 72
1 Jul 2021
Hernandez NM Hinton ZW Wu CJ Lachiewicz PF Ryan SP Wellman SS

Aims

Modular dual mobility (MDM) acetabular components are often used with the aim of reducing the risk of dislocation in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). There is, however, little information in the literature about its use in this context. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the outcomes in a cohort of patients in whom MDM components were used at revision THA, with a mean follow-up of more than five years.

Methods

Using the database of a single academic centre, 126 revision THAs in 117 patients using a single design of an MDM acetabular component were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 94 revision THAs in 88 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.5 years were included in the study. Survivorship was analyzed with the endpoints of dislocation, reoperation for dislocation, acetabular revision for aseptic loosening, and acetabular revision for any reason. The secondary endpoints were surgical complications and the radiological outcome.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 73 - 77
1 Jul 2021
Lawrie CM Barrack RL Nunley RM

Aims. Dual mobility (DM) implants have been shown to reduce the dislocation rate after total hip arthroplasty (THA), but there remain concerns about the use of cobalt chrome liners inserted into titanium shells. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes, metal ion levels, and periprosthetic femoral bone mineral density (BMD) at mid-term follow-up in young, active patients receiving a modular DM THA. Methods. This was a prospective study involving patients aged < 65 years, with a BMI of < 35 kg/m. 2. , and University of California, Los Angeles activity score of > 6 who underwent primary THA with a modular cobalt chrome acetabular liner, highly cross-linked polyethylene mobile bearing, and a cementless titanium femoral stem. Patient-reported outcome measures, whole blood metal ion levels (μg/l), and periprosthetic femoral BMD were measured at baseline and at one, two, and five years postoperatively. The results two years postoperatively for this cohort have been previously reported. Results. A total of 43 patients were enrolled. At minimum follow-up of five years, 23 (53.4%) returned for clinical and radiological review, 25 (58.1%) had metal ion analysis performed, 19 (44.2%) underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, and 25 (58%) completed a pain-drawing questionnaire. The mean modified Harris Hip Scores improved significantly from 54.8 (SD 19) preoperatively to 93.08 (SD 10.5) five years postoperatively (p < 0.001). One patient was revised for aseptic acetabular loosening. The mean cobalt levels increased from 0.065 μg/l (SD 0.03) to 0.08 (SD 0.05) and the mean titanium levels increased from 0.35 (SD 0.13) to 0.78 (SD 0.29). The femoral BMD ratio decreased in Gruen Zone 1 (91.9%) at five years postoperatively compared with the baseline scores at six weeks potoperatively. The femoral BMD ratio was maintained in Gruen zones 2 to 7. Conclusion. The use of a modular DM component and a cementless, tapered femoral stem shows excellent mid-term survivorship with minimal concerns for corrosion and metal ion release in a cohort of young, active patients undergoing primary THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):73–77


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 103-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 25 - 32
1 Jul 2021
Amstutz HC Le Duff MJ

Aims

Adverse local tissue reactions associated with abnormal wear considerably slowed down the general use of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), now limited to a few specialized centres. In this study, we provide the clinical results of 400 consecutive MoM HRAs implanted more than 20 years ago in one such centre.

Methods

A total of 355 patients (400 hips) were treated with Conserve Plus HRA between November 1996 and November 2000. There were 96 female (27%) and 259 male patients (73%). Their mean age was 48.2 years (SD 10.9). The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) hip scores and 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12) quality of life scores were reported. Survivorship was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 9, Issue 8 | Pages 515 - 523
1 Aug 2020
Bergiers S Hothi H Henckel J Eskelinen A Skinner J Hart A

Aims

The optimum clearance between the bearing surfaces of hip arthroplasties is unknown. Theoretically, to minimize wear, it is understood that clearances must be low enough to maintain optimal contact pressure and fluid film lubrication, while being large enough to allow lubricant recovery and reduce contact patch size. This study aimed to identify the relationship between diametrical clearance and volumetric wear, through the analysis of retrieved components.

Methods

A total of 81 metal-on-metal Pinnacle hips paired with 12/14 stems were included in this study. Geometrical analysis was performed on each component, using coordinate and roundness measuring machines. The relationship between their as-manufactured diametrical clearance and volumetric wear was investigated. The Mann-Whitney U test and unpaired t-test were used, in addition to calculating the non-parametric Spearman's correlation coefficient, to statistically evaluate the acquired data.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 7 Supple B | Pages 27 - 32
1 Jul 2020
Heckmann N Weitzman DS Jaffri H Berry DJ Springer BD Lieberman JR

Aims

Dual mobility (DM) bearings are an attractive treatment option to obtain hip stability during challenging primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) cases. The purpose of this study was to analyze data submitted to the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) to characterize utilization trends of DM bearings in the USA.

Methods

All primary and revision THA procedures reported to AJRR from 2012 to 2018 were analyzed. Patients of all ages were included and subdivided into DM and traditional bearing surface cohorts. Patient demographics, geographical region, hospital size, and teaching affiliation were assessed. Associations were determined by chi-squared analysis and logistic regression was performed to assess outcome variables.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 102-B, Issue 7 | Pages 832 - 837
1 Jul 2020
Dover C Kuiper JH Craig P Shaylor P

Aims. We have previously demonstrated raised cobalt and chromium levels in patients with larger diameter femoral heads, following metal-on-polyethylene uncemented total hip arthroplasty. Further data have been collected, to see whether these associations have altered with time and to determine the long-term implications for these patients and our practice. Methods. Patients from our previous study who underwent Trident-Accolade primary total hip arthroplasties using a metal-on-polyethylene bearing in 2009 were reviewed. Patients were invited to have their cobalt and chromium levels retested, and were provided an Oxford Hip Score. Serum ion levels were then compared between groups (28 mm, 36 mm, and 40 mm heads) and over time. Results. Metal ion levels were repeated in 33 patients. When comparing the results of serum metal ion levels over time, regardless of head size, there was a significant increase in both cobalt and chromium levels (p < 0.001). Two patients with larger head sizes had undergone revision arthroplasty with evidence of trunnion damage at surgery. Two patients within the 40 mm subgroup had metal ion levels above the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) threshold for detailed investigation. The increase in cobalt and chromium, when comparing the 36 mm and 40 mm groups with those of the 28 mm group, was not significant (36 mm vs 28 mm; p = 0.092/p = 0.191; 40 mm vs 28 mm; p = 0.200/p = 0.091, respectively). There was no difference, between femoral head sizes, when comparing outcome as measured by the Oxford Hip Score. Conclusion. This study shows an increase in cobalt and chromium levels over time for all modular femoral head sizes in patients with metal-on-polyethylene bearings, with two patients demonstrating ion levels above the MHRA threshold for failure, and a further two patients requiring revision surgery. These results may have clinical implications regarding longer term follow-up of patients and future implant choice, particularly among younger patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7):832–837