The value of serial metal ion levels in following up patients with metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.

Background: The sensitivity of cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) ion-levels in detecting poorly performing metal-on-metal hip implants is low. This study proposes that serial changes in ion-levels are a more accurate marker of arthroplasties at risk.

Methods: Serial metal ion-levels and implant data of 285 patients with ASR resurfacing or replacement were studied.

MRI findings following metal on metal hip arthroplasty and their relationship with metal ion levels and acetabular inclination angles.

Following the global recall of all ASR metal on metal hip products, our aim was to correlate MRI findings with acetabular inclination angles and metal ion levels in patients with these implants. Both cobalt and chromium levels were significantly higher in the presence of a periprosthetic fluid collection. There was no association between the presence of a periprosthetic mass, bone marrow oedema, trochanteric bursitis or greater levels of abductor muscle destruction for cobalt or chromium.

The effect of acetabular inclination on metal ion levels following metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.

Acetabular inclination angles have been suggested as a principal determinant of circulating metal ion levels in metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties. We aimed to determine whether inclination angle correlates with ion levels in arthroplasties using the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) system. Patients undergoing ASR arthroplasties had blood metal ion levels and radiograph analysis performed a mean of 3.