Distribution of chromium and cobalt ions in various blood fractions after resurfacing hip arthroplasty.

The most appropriate blood fraction for the measurement of metal ions in patients with metal-on-metal implants is controversial. We compared chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) ion levels in 29 patients after unilateral hip resurfacing with a size 54-mm femoral Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Prosthesis (Smith and Nephew, London, UK). All had well-functioning arthroplasties between 5 and 59 months after implantation.