A multicenter retrieval study of the taper interfaces of modular hip prostheses

Severe corrosion after malpositioning of a metallic head over the Morse taper of a cementless hip arthroplasty. A case report

Morse tapers are frequently used in total hip replacement to achieve precise adjustment of lengths and femoral offset. Mechanically, they do not raise any specific problems so long as strict positioning requirements are observed and elements from different manufacturers are not mixed together. We report a case in which the implant induced unexplained pain at 2 years, in relation to a defective fit between the metallic head and the Morse taper. Asymmetric partial fit of the head onto the taper was detected on control X-ray and was implicated as causing metallosis due to excessive release of metal debris from the Morse taper. Revision required femoral stem exchange because of the damage to the Morse taper as well as replacing the cup with new metal-metal bearings. Evolution was favorable at 3 years' follow-up. Most hip replacements include a Morse taper; the present clinical case is a reminder that strict positioning rules are to be respected, without which corrosion and wear may lead to mechanical failure.

Corrosion fatigue of biomedical metallic alloys: mechanisms and mitigation

Cyclic stresses are often related to the premature mechanical failure of metallic biomaterials. The complex interaction between fatigue and corrosion in the physiological environment has been subject of many investigations. In this context, microstructure, heat treatments, plastic deformation, surface finishing and coatings have decisive influence on the mechanisms of fatigue crack nucleation and growth. Furthermore, wear is frequently present and contributes to the process. However, despite all the effort at elucidating the mechanisms that govern corrosion fatigue of biomedical alloys, failures continue to occur. This work reviews the literature on corrosion-fatigue-related phenomena of Ti alloys, surgical stainless steels, Co-Cr-Mo and Mg alloys. The aim was to discuss the correlation between structural and surface aspects of these materials and the onset of fatigue in the highly saline environment of the human body. By understanding such correlation, mitigation of corrosion fatigue failure may be achieved in a reliable scientific-based manner. Different mitigation methods are also reviewed and discussed throughout the text. It is intended that the information condensed in this article should be a valuable tool in the development of increasingly successful designs against the corrosion fatigue of metallic implants.

Pseudotumor in a well-fixed metal-on-polyethylene uncemented hip arthroplasty

The incidence of pseudotumor formation has been reported to be 1% in patients with metal-on-metal resurfacing arthroplasties. This complication is not exclusive to these patients. We report a case of pseudotumor formation secondary to femoral head-neck corrosion after a metal-on-polyethylene uncemented total hip arthroplasty.

Mixing and matching causing taper wear

We report a case of a male patient presenting with bilateral painful but apparently well-positioned and -fixed large-diameter metal-on-metal hip replacements four years post-operatively. Multiple imaging modes revealed a thick-walled, cystic expansile mass in communication with the hip joint (a pseudotumour). Implant retrieval analysis and tissue culture eliminated high bearing wear or infection as causes for the soft-tissue reaction, but noted marked corrosion of the modular neck taper adaptor and corrosion products in the tissues. Therefore, we believe corrosion products from the taper caused by mismatch of the implant components led to pseudotumour formation requiring revision.

Influence of assembly procedure and material combination on the strength of the taper connection at the head-neck junction of modular hip endoprostheses

BACKGROUND

A stable fixation between femoral head and endoprosthesis taper is necessary to prevent relative motions and corrosion at the taper junction. Although the importance of the component assembly has been recognised, no definitive instructions are available. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of assembly force, assembly tool and number of hammer strokes on the taper junction strength of various material combinations.

METHODS

Co-Cr29-Mo (n=10) and Ti-6Al-4V (n=10) neck tapers were assembled with Co-Cr and Al(2)O(3) ceramic heads either by push-on or by impaction with single or multiple hammer blows. The strength of the taper-head connection was evaluated by measuring the head pull-off forces according to ISO 7206-10 and the turn-off moment capacity.

FINDINGS

The taper strength linearly increased with assembly forces (P<0.001). Co-Cr heads combined with Co-Cr tapers showed significantly lower pull-off forces and turn-off moments than the combination with Ti tapers (0.001<P<0.025). Multiple impaction did not increase taper strength (0.063 <P<0.995). Ceramic and Co-Cr heads showed similar fixation patterns on Ti tapers. Turn-off moments varied between 6 Nm and 19 Nm, dependent on material combination and assembly force.

INTERPRETATION

It is suggested that sufficient head-taper junction strength in all bearing conditions is achieved by impaction forces of at least 4 kN. A single impact is sufficient to achieve fixation. Special attention should be paid to the assembly of Co-Cr heads on Co-Cr tapers.

Adverse reaction to metal release from a modular metal-on-polyethylene hip prosthesis

A 70-year-old man with an uncemented metal-on-polyethylene total hip prosthesis underwent revision arthroplasty 33 months later because of pain, swelling and recurrent dislocation. There appeared to be corrosion and metal release from the prosthetic head, resulting in pseudotumour formation and severe local soft-tissue destruction. The corrosion occurred at the junction between the titanium-molybdenum-zirconium-iron taper and the cobalt-chrome-molybdenum head, but the mechanism was unproven.

Femoral head size does not affect ion values in metal-on-metal total hips

BACKGROUND

Metal-on-metal articulations can release substantial amounts of particles containing cobalt and chromium into the surrounding milieu, causing concern for cellular toxicity and adverse local soft tissue reactions. The diameter of the femoral head has been one of the variables that inversely affects wear of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA). The oxidative stress of increased metal ions can be measured with serum markers. It is still controversial if larger femoral head diameters decrease wear rates in patients with metal-on-metal THA and if the increased metal ions alter the body's antioxidant status.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We therefore (1) determined whole blood metal ions in patients with small (28 mm and 36 mm) and large (40 mm and 44 mm) diameter femoral heads; (2) measured oxidative stress markers (total antioxidants, nitrotyrosine, and peroxides); and (3) determined whether acetabular version or inclination influenced ion levels.

METHODS

One hundred four patients were retrospectively studied. We recorded Harris hip scores and UCLA activity scores. All patients were followed at 1 year.

RESULTS

The activity scores were similar in the two groups. There was no difference in metal ion levels or oxidative stress markers between patients with small- or large-diameter femoral heads. Acetabular inclination and anteversion had no effect on the metal ion levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest there is no difference in ion values in patients with large or small metal-on-metal THA and the increased metal ions do not alter the oxidant status of the patient.

Influence of material coupling and assembly condition on the magnitude of micromotion at the stem-neck interface of a modular hip endoprosthesis

Hip prostheses with a modular neck exhibit, compared to monobloc prostheses, an additional interface which bears the risk of fretting as well as corrosion. Failures at the neck adapter of modular prostheses have been observed for a number of different designs. It has been speculated that micromotions at the stem-neck interface were responsible for these implant failures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of material combinations and assembly conditions on the magnitude of micromotions at the stem-neck interface during cyclic loading. Modular (n = 24) and monobloc (n = 3) hip prostheses of a similar design (Metha, Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany) were subjected to mechanical testing according to ISO 7206-4 (F(min) = 230N, F(max) = 2300N, f = 1Hz, n = 10,000 cycles). The neck adapters (Ti-6Al-4V or Co-Cr29-Mo alloy) were assembled with a clean or contaminated interface. The micromotion between stem and neck adapter was calculated at five reference points based on the measurements of the three eddy current sensors. The largest micromotions were observed at the lateral edge of the stem-neck taper connection, which is in accordance with the crack location of clinically failed prostheses. Titanium neck adapters showed significantly larger micromotions than cobalt-chromium neck adapters (p = 0.005). Contaminated interfaces also exhibited significantly larger micromotions (p < 0.001). Since excessive micromotions at the stem-neck interface might be involved in the process of implant failure, special care should be taken to clean the interface prior to assembly and titanium neck adapters with titanium stems should generally be used with caution.

Corrosion at the stem-sleeve interface of a modular titanium alloy femoral component as a reason for impaired disengagement

Modularity in sleeved femoral components allows the exchange of the stem without disruption of the fixation between the sleeve and the surrounding bone at revision surgery. Failure to disengage the stem from the sleeve would represent an unnecessary compromise from the intended usefulness of the modular design. We report the results of an examination of 22 modular titanium alloy femoral components retrieved after 0.0 to 8.8 years in vivo. In 7 implants, the stem-sleeve interface could not be disengaged without cutting through the components or using mechanical force. Moderate to severe corrosion was detected in all 7 of these cases. Corrosive surface changes were observed in an additional 6 interfaces. There was no correlation with the length of time that the devices had been implanted. When only the stem is to be revised, orthopedic surgeons should be aware of difficulties in disengagement and anticipate alternative surgical procedures.

Influence of technique with distally fixed modular stems in revision total hip arthroplasty

Distally fixed modular implants have seen a recent increase in use, to manage proximal femoral bone loss often encountered during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Forty-three distally fixed modular stems implanted at our institution between 1999 and 2006 were clinically and radiographically reviewed. These patients had either a minimum 2-year follow-up (average, 2.4 years; range, 2-5.6 years) or failure (ie, explant or rerevision required). Eleven stems subsided, and 4 were rerevised (n = 4), for a rate of 9.3%. All revised stems were radiographically undersized, emphasizing the importance of the technique. Although being a valuable option in revision THA, these stems are not free of complications. The high rate of subsidence encountered in our early experience shows that there is a learning curve. This complication is preventable by avoiding undersizing.

Hybrid assembly of metal head and femoral stem from different manufacturers during isolated acetabular revision

During revision of a failed acetabular component with well-fixed antiquated femoral stem, the same variant of metal head is usually not available in the inventory production. We gathered the stems retrieved from revision surgeries and tried to reassemble with the commercially available femoral heads. This study reports the results of suitable hybrid assembly of metal heads with the most common antiquated femoral stems from different manufacturers. Three hybrid combinations were determined and pull-off strengths of these hybrid combinations were performed through in vitro studies to evaluate the quality of the taper locks.

A modular femoral neck and head system works well in cementless total hip replacement for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip

We compared a modular neck system with a non-modular system in a cementless anatomical total hip replacement (THR). Each group consisted of 74 hips with developmental hip dysplasia. Both groups had the same cementless acetabular component and the same articulation, which consisted of a conventional polyethylene liner and a 28 mm alumina head. The mean follow-up was 14.5 years (13 to 15), at which point there were significant differences in the mean total Harris hip score (modular/non-modular: 98.6 (64 to 100)/93.8 (68 to 100)), the mean range of abduction (32° (15° to 40°)/28 (0° to 40°)), use of a 10° elevated liner (31%/100%), the incidence of osteolysis (27%/79.7%) and the incidence of equal leg lengths (≥ 6 mm, 92%/61%). There was no disassociation or fracture of the modular neck.

The modular system reduces the need for an elevated liner, thereby reducing the incidence of osteolysis. It gives a better range of movement and allows the surgeon to make an accurate adjustment of leg length.

The John Charnley Award: Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing versus large-diameter head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial

Resurfacing arthroplasty has become an attractive option for young patients who want to maintain a high activity level. One recent study reported modestly increased activity levels for patients with resurfacing compared to standard total hip arthroplasty (THA). We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare clinical outcomes of resurfacing versus large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty. We randomized 107 patients deemed eligible for resurfacing arthroplasty to have either resurfacing or standard THA. Patients were assessed for quality-of-life outcomes using the PAT-5D index, WOMAC, SF-36, and UCLA activity score. The minimum followup was 0.8 years (mean, 1.1 years; range, 0.8-2.2 years). Of the 73 patients followed at least one year, both groups reported improvement in quality of life on all outcome measures. There was no difference in quality of life between the two arms in the study. Serum levels of cobalt and chromium were measured in a subset of 30 patients. In both groups cobalt and chromium was elevated compared to baseline. Patients receiving a large-head metal-on-metal total hip had elevated ion levels compared to the resurfacing arm of the study. At 1 year, the median serum cobalt increased 46-fold from baseline in patients in the large-head total hip group, while the median serum chromium increased 10-fold. At 1 year, serum cobalt was 10-fold higher and serum chromium 2.6-fold higher than in the resurfacing arm. Due to these excessively high metal ion levels, the authors recommend against further use of this particular large-head total hip arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, randomized clinical trial. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Modular titanium alloy neck adapter failures in hip replacement--failure mode analysis and influence of implant material

BACKGROUND

Modular neck adapters for hip arthroplasty stems allow the surgeon to modify CCD angle, offset and femoral anteversion intraoperatively. Fretting or crevice corrosion may lead to failure of such a modular device due to high loads or surface contamination inside the modular coupling. Unfortunately we have experienced such a failure of implants and now report our clinical experience with the failures in order to advance orthopaedic material research and joint replacement surgery.The failed neck adapters were implanted between August 2004 and November 2006 a total of about 5000 devices. After this period, the titanium neck adapters were replaced by adapters out of cobalt-chromium. Until the end of 2008 in total 1.4% (n = 68) of the implanted titanium alloy neck adapters failed with an average time of 2.0 years (0.7 to 4.0 years) postoperatively. All, but one, patients were male, their average age being 57.4 years (36 to 75 years) and the average weight 102.3 kg (75 to 130 kg). The failures of neck adapters were divided into 66% with small CCD of 130 degrees and 60% with head lengths of L or larger. Assuming an average time to failure of 2.8 years, the cumulative failure rate was calculated with 2.4%.

METHODS

A series of adapter failures of titanium alloy modular neck adapters in combination with a titanium alloy modular short hip stem was investigated. For patients having received this particular implant combination risk factors were identified which were associated with the occurRence of implant failure. A Kaplan-Meier survival-failure-analysis was conducted. The retrieved implants were analysed using microscopic and chemical methods. Modes of failure were simulated in biomechanical tests. Comparative tests included modular neck adapters made of titanium alloy and cobalt chrome alloy material.

RESULTS

Retrieval examinations and biomechanical simulation revealed that primary micromotions initiated fretting within the modular tapered neck connection. A continuous abrasion and repassivation process with a subsequent cold welding at the titanium alloy modular interface. Surface layers of 10 - 30 microm titanium oxide were observed. Surface cracks caused by fretting or fretting corrosion finally lead to fatigue fracture of the titanium alloy modular neck adapters. Neck adapters made of cobalt chrome alloy show significantly reduced micromotions especially in case of contaminated cone connection. With a cobalt-chromium neck the micromotions can be reduced by a factor of 3 compared to the titanium neck. The incidence of fretting corrosion was also substantially lower with the cobalt-chromium neck configuration.

CONCLUSIONS

Failure of modular titanium alloy neck adapters can be initiated by surface micromotions due to surface contamination or highly loaded implant components. In the present study, the patients at risk were men with an average weight over 100 kg. Modular cobalt chrome neck adapters provide higher safety compared to titanium alloy material.

Modular femoral stem-sleeve junction failure after primary total hip arthroplasty

The total hip prosthesis has evolved from the initial monoblock system developed by Charnley. Modularity of both the femoral and acetabular components, which allows the surgeon to assemble the prostheses just before or during the course of implantation, has now become standard. Modularity increases the number of implant parameter variables, allowing semicustom devices to be constructed. Component interfaces, however, are subject to significant stresses, micromotion manifesting as fretting, may produce wear debris, and at times may experience macromotion leading to catastrophic failure. We report 3 cases of stem-sleeve junction failure in otherwise uncomplicated primary total hip arthroplasties. Two of the failures occurred in the S-ROM (Joint Medical Products, Stamford, Conn) femoral stem design and the other in an Apex stem (Omni Life Science, Raynham, Mass). To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of clinical failures at femoral stem-sleeve junction.

The John Charnley Award: Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing versus large-diameter head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty: a randomized clinical trial

Resurfacing arthroplasty has become an attractive option for young patients who want to maintain a high activity level. One recent study reported modestly increased activity levels for patients with resurfacing compared to standard total hip arthroplasty (THA). We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare clinical outcomes of resurfacing versus large-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty. We randomized 107 patients deemed eligible for resurfacing arthroplasty to have either resurfacing or standard THA. Patients were assessed for quality-of-life outcomes using the PAT-5D index, WOMAC, SF-36, and UCLA activity score. The minimum followup was 0.8 years (mean, 1.1 years; range, 0.8-2.2 years). Of the 73 patients followed at least one year, both groups reported improvement in quality of life on all outcome measures. There was no difference in quality of life between the two arms in the study. Serum levels of cobalt and chromium were measured in a subset of 30 patients. In both groups cobalt and chromium was elevated compared to baseline. Patients receiving a large-head metal-on-metal total hip had elevated ion levels compared to the resurfacing arm of the study. At 1 year, the median serum cobalt increased 46-fold from baseline in patients in the large-head total hip group, while the median serum chromium increased 10-fold. At 1 year, serum cobalt was 10-fold higher and serum chromium 2.6-fold higher than in the resurfacing arm. Due to these excessively high metal ion levels, the authors recommend against further use of this particular large-head total hip arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, randomized clinical trial. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

In vivo severe corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement of retrieved modular body titanium alloy hip-implants

Titanium alloys are widely used in total-joint replacements due to a combination of outstanding mechanical properties, biocompatibility, passivity, and corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, retrieval studies have pointed out that these materials can be subjected to localized or general corrosion in modular interfaces when mechanical abrasion of the oxide film (fretting) occurs. Modularity adds large crevice environments, which are subject to micromotion between contacting interfaces and differential aeration of the surface. Titanium alloys are also known to be susceptible to hydrogen absorption, which can induce precipitation of hydrides and subsequent brittle failure. In this work, the surface of three designs of retrieved hip-implants with Ti-6Al-4V/Ti-6Al-4V modular taper interfaces in the stem were investigated for evidence of severe corrosion and precipitation of brittle hydrides during fretting-crevice corrosion in the modular connections. The devices were retrieved from patients and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and chemical analysis. The surface qualitative investigation revealed severe corrosion attack in the mating interfaces with evidence of etching, pitting, delamination, and surface cracking. In vivo hydrogen embrittlement was shown to be a mechanism of degradation in modular connections resulting from electrochemical reactions induced in the crevice environment of the tapers during fretting-crevice corrosion.

Case reports: fractures of threaded cups: rare complications of a well-established implant

The use of cementless threaded cups in THA is a well-established treatment. Fractures of the cups are rare complications recorded in individual cases with material defects being discussed as the primary cause. We analyzed three cases of fractured cups. Although all three cups were well fixed to existing bone, we observed deficient osseous backing dorsocranially and abrasion particles. There were no signs of femoroacetabular impingement or infection. The cups showed corrosion debris. Scanning electron microscopic investigations showed characteristics of fretting and fretting-related corrosion. We concluded the fractures occurred because of fretting combined with inadequate bony support leading to fatigue of the material and subsequent fracture.

Metal release and corrosion effects of modular neck total hip arthroplasty

Modular neck implants are an attractive treatment tool in total hip replacement. Concerns remain about the mechanical stability and metal ion release caused by the modular connection. Five different implant designs were investigated in an experimental set-up. In vivo conditions were simulated and the long-term titanium release was measured. Finally, the modular connections were inspected for corrosion processes and signs of fretting. No mechanical failure or excessive corrosion could be identified for the implants tested. The titanium releases measured were extremely low compared to in vivo and in vitro studies and were not in a critical range.

Aging of retrieved zirconia femoral heads

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia may undergo extensive transformation to the monoclinic phase under mechanical and/or hydrothermal stress, with degradation of mechanical and tribologic properties. We hypothesized progressive phase transformation of zirconia in service in vivo is directly related to the time of implantation and to patient-related factors. The subsequent decrease in fracture toughness and increase in surface roughness and wear are related to the increased monoclinic content. We performed a study on 47 yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia femoral heads retrieved from failed total hip arthroplasties after 2 to 10 years implantation. Age, weight, and activity of the patients were retrieved from clinical records. Monoclinic content, fracture toughness, surface roughness, and wear were measured. Strong correlations were found between monoclinic content in the weightbearing surface and time of implantation (r = 0.97) and between increase in monoclinic content and decrease in fracture toughness (r = -0.92), increase in surface roughness (r = 0.88), and increase in surface wear (r = 0.89). No correlation was observed between the increase in monoclinic content and the age, weight, or activity of the patients. Aging of zirconia in vivo is then a function of time in service, and the loss of surface properties is caused by the corresponding increase in monoclinic content.

Dissociation of the femoral head and trunion after constrained conversion total hip arthroplasty for poliomyelitis

A conversion total hip arthroplasty using a 58-mm cementless shell and screws and constrained acetabular liner was performed in a 71-year-old patient with a nonunion of an intertrochanteric fracture and poliomyelitis with flail extremities. Preoperatively, the fractured lower extremity was painful and normally used by the patient for pivot transfers from his wheelchair. Five months postoperatively, the patient sustained complete dissociation of the trunion and femoral head, which was still located within the constrained liner. All other components were well fixated and properly positioned. The hip was revised successfully with a 40-mm femoral head and a nonconstrained liner with a 15 degrees elevated lip placed posterosuperiorly.

Impingement contributes to backside wear and screw-metallic shell fretting in modular acetabular cups

Eighty-six polyethylene liners and 56 metallic shells of acetabular components were evaluated by visual and stereomicroscopic examination for impingement, backside polyethylene wear, creep, and fretting at the screw-metallic shell interface using a subjective scoring system. Medical records and radiological data were available in 65 and 46 patients, respectively. Impingement was found in 62 components (75%). Backside polyethylene wear and screw-metallic shell corrosion and fretting were significantly correlated (P < .001) with impingement. Polyethylene creep was significantly correlated to backside wear and tended to be higher for the cups that had impingement (P = .06). No correlation was found between backside polyethylene wear and implant design or cup position. Our results suggest that impingement in a modular acetabular component correlated with increased backside wear and screw-metallic shell corrosion and fretting.

A case of disassociation of a modular femoral neck trunion after total hip arthroplasty

Modular femoral heads offer the advantages of increased intraoperative flexibility through the adjustment of leg length and offset, whereas a modular femoral neck can also allow independent adjustment of femoral anteversion. Despite the potential advantages of hip systems using increased modularity, these component designs also offer a greater number of junctions through which problems may occur. This case demonstrates the potential for dissociation of a Morse taper between a modular femoral neck and stem.

Effect of impact assembly on the fretting corrosion of modular hip tapers

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of assembly load and local assembly environmental conditions on the fretting corrosion of modular femoral stem tapers. Femoral head/taper assemblies in both similar (CoCrMo/CoCrMo) and mixed (CoCrMo/Ti-6Al-4V) alloy combinations were evaluated using an electrochemical test method. Specimens were assembled under impact loading and by hand, in both wet and dry conditions. Incremental cyclic loads ranging from 89 to 5,340 N were applied at a frequency of 3 Hz in Ringer's solution at ambient temperature. During the test, both the open circuit potential (OCP) and fretting current (i(fret)) were measured using a saturated calomel electrode (SCE) and counter electrode, respectively. The results were comparable for both mixed and similar alloy couples. Decreases in OCP and increases in i(fret) (indicators of oxide film fracture and repassivation) were seen with increasing load magnitude, often occurring at loads well below those expected clinically. OCP at the 5,340 N cyclic load ranged from -30.4 to -103.7 mV versus SCE for similar alloy couples, and -19.1 to -181.4 mV versus SCE for mixed alloy couples. Mean peak fretting currents ranged from 0.84 to 1.42 microA and 1.06 to 3.12 microA for similar and mixed alloy couples, respectively. The larger current magnitudes and more negative shifts in OCP for mixed alloy couples indicate the difference in oxide film fracture behavior between titanium and cobalt alloys. The load at which OCP began to drop (onset of fretting) was dependent upon the assembly conditions for both material couples. Specimens assembled with impact loads in air showed the highest resistance to fretting. The results of this study indicate that the assembly load and the environment both play a role in the initial stability of modular hip taper connections.

Trunion fracture of a fully porous-coated femoral stem. Case report

Femoral component fracture is a documented but an uncommon complication of total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective survey conducted by the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons estimated the prevalence of femoral component fractures at 0.27% (172 of 64483 implants over a 5-year period ending in 1993) . There have been several case reports of fatigue fractures of the prosthetic neck distal to the Morse taper in modular implants with a cobalt alloy head and a cobalt alloy stem. Here, we present a case report of stem fracture within the Morse taper of a cobalt alloy stem coupled with a cobalt alloy head.

Can metal levels be used to monitor metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties?

In this review, the prospects for using blood, serum, and/or urine metal levels for monitoring the performance of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty systems are explored. This approach does have substantial potential for serving this function; however, the methodology is technically challenging and the interpretation of the values requires an extensive database with correlative clinical information. At this time, it is premature to recommend metal concentration analysis on a routine clinical basis for patients with metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties. Nonetheless, metal concentration analysis remains a powerful research tool in the evaluation of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty systems.