Systemic release of cobalt and chromium after uncemented total hip replacement
Kreibich, D.N.; Moran, C.G.; Delves, H.T.; Owen, T.D.; Pinder, I.M.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume 78(1): 18-21
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-620X PMID: 8898120 Document Number: 460724
We measured the levels of cobalt and chromium in the serum in three groups of patients after uncemented porous-coated arthroplasty. Group 1 consisted of 14 consecutive patients undergoing revision for aseptic loosening. Group 2 comprised 14 matched patients in whom the arthroplasty was stable and group 3 was 14 similarly matched patients with arthritis awaiting hip replacement. Specimens were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Aseptic loosening of a component resulted in a significant elevation of serum cobalt (p < 0.05), but not of serum chromium. The relative risk of a component being loose, if the patient had a serum cobalt greater than 9.0 nmol/l, was 2.8.