Serum levels of metal ions are comparable with different types of large-diameter metal-on-metal total hip prostheses.
We compared 24 Durom鈩?cups (D), 23 M2a Magnum鈩?cups (M2a), and 20 Conserve Total鈩?(C) cups regarding serum chromium and cobalt levels, Postel-Merle d鈥橝ubign茅 (PMA) scores and Oxford Hip Scores (OHS), as well as radiographic cup orientation and position at 1-year follow-up. Mean age was 66 years (45-85 years), mean body mass index was 28 Kg/m2 (18-45), patients were almost equally divided between males and females, and the reason for hip replacement was primary hip osteoarthritis in 65 patients and avascular necrosis in two. Metal ions were assayed in serum from blood drawn through non-metallic catheters, using mass spectrometry.
Dislocation occurred in two patients (one D and one M2a) and revision to change the bearing couple was required in two patients in the D group. Serum cobalt levels in the C group were significantly higher (P = 0. 0003) than in the two other groups (7.5 渭g/L versus 2. 7 渭g/L with D and 2. 2 渭g/L with M2a). Clinical outcomes were better in the M2a group (PMA, 17.7 [16-18]; and OHS, 15.2 [12-30]; P < 0.05). The PMA score and OHS were 17.5 (16-18) and 18.2 (12-42), respectively, with D; and 16.75 (10-18) and 22. 2 (12-42), respectively, with C cups. When all three cup models were pooled, serum ion levels were higher in patients with pain than without pain (chromium, 7.1 渭g/L versus 2.1 渭g/L [P = 0.002], and cobalt, 8 渭g/L versus 2.6 渭g/L [P = 0.0004]).
Serum chrome and cobalt levels increased after metal-on-metal total hip replacement, and the increase was greater with large-diameter implants than previously reported with 28-mm implants. Persistent pain was significantly associated with higher metal ion levels, with a probable cobalt cut-off of about 8 渭g/L. Differences in modular head-neck concepts may explain the observed variations.
III, prospective comparative study.