Osteolysis with a cementless second generation metal-on-metal cup in total hip replacement

Cementless metal-on-metal versus ceramic-on-polyethylene hip arthroplasty in under-50 year-olds with 20 to 22 years' follow-up: Was it a good idea to abandon the small-diameter metal-on-metal bearing?

In 2005 and 2011, we reported results for a comparative study of two types of 28-mm bearing (metal-on-metal (MoM) and ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) in active patients with respectively 5 and 12 years' follow-up. The present report is an update at a mean 20 years' follow-up, addressing 2 issues: (1) implant survival at a mean 20 years; and (2) long-term complications with the metal-on-metal bearing. Twenty-eight millimeters MoM bearings show good survival at 20 years in young active subjects. Two groups of cementless hip prostheses were compared: Metasul™ 28mm MoM versus 28mm CoP. The MoM group comprised 30 patients (39 hips), with a mean age of 40±6.7 years [range, 22.6-49 years], and the CoP group comprised 32 patients (39 hips), with a mean age of 40.5±8.7 years [range, 15-50 years]. The groups were matched in 2005 for age, activity level and preoperative Harris score. At a mean 20±5.3 years' follow-up [range, 5-23 years], in the MoM group 2 hips (5%) showed limited non-progressive acetabular osteolysis, not requiring revision surgery; in the CoP group, there were 21 revision procedures (54%), including 15 for polyethylene wear. In the MoM group, the median total blood cobalt concentration was 1.03g/L [range, 0.3-3.5] and the median chromium concentration was 1.07g/L [range, 0.3-3.2]. Twenty-year all-cause survival was 100% in the MoM group, and 46% (95% CI, 37-59%) in the CoP group (p<0.0001). At long-term follow-up, MoM implants showed better survival than CoP implants in a young active population. Level of evidence: III, matched case series.

Long-Term Outcomes After Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty With a 28-mm Head: A 17- to 23-Year Follow-Up Study of a Previous Report

BACKGROUND

Second-generation, metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (MoM THA) using a 28-mm head has shown favorable results compared with large head MoM THA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of cementless primary MoM THA with a 28-mm head and the incidence of osteolysis using computed tomography.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients (53 men and 39 women) who underwent primary cementless MoM THA (114 hips) with a 28-mm head were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 46.2 years at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up duration was 20 years. The Harris hip score, presence of thigh or groin pain, radiographic results, presence of peri-implant osteolysis, histologic analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative Harris hip score of 50.5 improved to 85.1 at the final follow-up. Eight patients (8 hips) experienced groin pain, but none had thigh pain. Twelve revisions (6.2%) were performed including 10 hips for aseptic loosening with osteolysis and 2 hips for periprosthetic fracture around the stem. At 23 years, 91% of patients were free from revision of the acetabular component due to aseptic loosening and 90.1% were free from revision of both femoral and acetabular components due to any reason. Osteolysis was identified around the cup in 12 cases (10.5%) and around the stem in 7 cases (6.1%).

CONCLUSION

MoM THA with a 28-mm head showed a relatively low rate of aseptic implant loosening at a mean follow-up of 20 years.

Metal on Metal or Ceramic on Ceramic for Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Hard bearings, metal on metal (MOM) and ceramic on ceramic (COC), have been developed to overcome polyethylene wear-related osteolysis, but comparisons between these 2 hard bearings are limited. We performed a meta-analysis to determine revision rates for (1) any reason, (2) aseptic loosening, (3) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and (4) recurrent dislocation between MOM and COC bearings in cementless total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

This analysis included 3 studies comparing COC and MOM bearings and 56 studies reporting outcomes of MOM or COC bearings. We conducted a comparison meta-analysis (with a fixed-effects model) on the 3 comparative studies and a proportional meta-analysis on the data from the 59 articles to determine a consensus.

RESULTS

In the comparison meta-analysis, MOM showed higher revision rate than COC for any reason (odds ratio = 2.39, P = .046) and PJI (odds ratio = 6.21, P = .015). In the proportion meta-analysis, the MOM group showed significantly higher revision rate than COC group for any reason, aseptic loosening, and PJI.

CONCLUSION

MOM bearings were associated with a higher risk of revision for any reason and PJI than COC bearings after cementless total hip arthroplasty.

Frequent femoral neck osteolysis with Birmingham mid-head resection resurfacing arthroplasty in young patients

BACKGROUND

Mid-head resection total hip resurfacing arthroplasty was promoted as an alternative to traditional total hip resurfacing for patients with poor femoral head bone quality or abnormal femoral head morphology, because those patients are at high risk of failure with traditional total hip resurfacing. It is a large-headed metal-on-metal device that uses a short, bone-conserving stem. Good performance of the implant has been reported at short-term followup, but no information on the implant performance in the mid- or long-term is available.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In this study, we report (1) on the mid-term implant survivorship and hip scores in a single nondesigner surgeon series. Because of the occurrence of femoral neck osteolysis and pseudotumor in a subgroup of patients, we also investigated the following: (2) Were there any preoperative parameters that are associated with osteolysis? (3) Could we differentiate the osteolysis group from the others on the basis of implant component sizes, positions, and radiologic parameters? (4) Could we differentiate the osteolysis group from the others on the basis of metal ion levels?

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2011, one surgeon performed a total of 49 Birmingham Mid-head Resection total hip resurfacing arthroplasties in 47 patients. The general indications for this procedure were young patients who were considered suitable for hip resurfacing arthroplasty but had avascular necrosis, large cysts, or severe deformity of the femoral head. Clinical followup including Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and UCLA hip scores were available preoperatively and at a mean of 6 years (range, 3-8 years) on all patients (100%), radiographic followup on 45 of 47 (96%), MRIs on 18 (38%), and metal ion levels on 37 (79%). Mean age at surgery was 50 years. Spearman's correlation was used to test the association between femoral neck osteolysis and preoperative parameters, implant component sizes and positions, and blood metal ion levels.

RESULTS

We found 100% survival. Patients' median OHS was 46 of 48 (range, 35-48) and UCLA 8 of 10 (range, 4-10). However, 16% of the hips (seven of 45) demonstrated osteolysis in the femoral neck. Of the preoperative parameters, the osteolysis was associated with low weight (r = -0.337, p = 0.031) and to a lesser degree with female sex (r = 0.275, p = 0.067). Radiologically, the osteolysis was strongly associated with the presence of a pseudotumor on MRI (r = 0.663, p = 0.004). We could not differentiate the osteolysis group from the rest of the cohort on the basis of the implant sizes or radiographic implant component positions. The cohort's median whole blood cobalt was 1.77 ppb (range, 0.18-10.27 ppb) and chromium 1.88 ppb (range 0.36-10.09 ppb). There was no difference in the metal ion levels between the osteolysis group and the rest of the cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate of silently developing femoral neck osteolysis associated with this implant is concerning and is expected to cause a high rate of failure at longer followup. We have instituted a program of annual clinical and radiologic followup for this group of patients. We have stopped implanting this device and recommend against its use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study.

Review on squeaking hips

Squeaking is a well-recognized complication for hard-on-hard bearings. The nature of squeaking is not yet completely understood however it is considered a multifactorial phenomenon. Patient, implant, and surgical factors play a role in squeaking. It is believed that mechanisms damaging the fluid film lubrication in which these bearings function optimally have a critical role. Such mechanisms include edge loading, stripe wear, impingement, third body particles and ceramic fracture. The resonance of metallic parts can produce noise in the human audible range hence the implant metallurgic composition and design may play a role. Implant positioning can facilitate impingement and edge loading enhancing the occurrence of squeaking. The recent introduction of large heads (> 36 mm) 4^th generation ceramic-on-ceramic bearing may accentuate the conditions facilitating noise formation; however the current literature is insufficient. Clinically, squeaking may manifest in extreme hip positions or during normal gait cycle however it is rarely associated with pain. Evaluations of patients with squeaking include clinical and radiographic assessments. Computer tomography is recommended as it can better reveal ceramic breakage and implant malposition. The treatments for most squeaking patients include reassurance and activity modification. However for some, noise can be a problem, requiring further surgical intervention. In the occurrence of ceramic fracture, implant failure, extreme components malposition, instability and impingement, surgery should be advised. This review will aim to discuss the current literature regarding squeaking.

Factors affecting squeaking in metal on metal hip resurfacings

We reviewed 380 hip resurfacings cases between December 1999 and Dec 2012. 11 cases (2.89%) squeaked postoperatively. Mean follow-up was 88.6 months (19-130 months). Mean time to squeak was 11.3 months (3-22 months). Ten (91%) cases were male and nine (81%) cases had a Birmingham hip resurfacing. Cases were matched for age, gender, BMI and implant to three controls. Radiographs were analysed using EBRA (Einzel-Bild-Roentgen-Analysis, University of Innsbruck, Austria) software to evaluate cup orientation. There was no significant difference between the mean inclination angle of the cups (p = 0.26) or the mean anteversion angle (p = 0.29). There was no difference in serum cobalt (p = 0.20) or serum chromium (p = 0.45) levels at latest follow-up. Three of the 11 (27.3%) cases had revision surgery at a mean follow-up of 101 months (72-117 months). Squeaking was not influenced by patient demographic parameters and resolved in all cases that did not undergo revision surgery. Males with a resurfacing head size <50 mm had significantly increased odds of squeaking when compared to controls (odds ratio = 26.6; 95% CI = 1.2-573.3; p<0.05). Based on our findings, we do not recommend that squeaking on its own should be an indication for revision of hip resurfacing components.

Metal ion release: also a concern for ceramic-on-ceramic couplings?

BIOLOX delta is the newest ceramic composite material of the BIOLOX family and its use in hip devices represents a good alternative to Metal-on-Metal or Metal-on-Polyethylene coupling. Some Metal-on-Metal hip devices have shown chromium and cobalt release, which promoted toxic effects. Furthermore, the ceramic composite contains trivalent chromium, even if strongly bound to the alumina lattice. The present study is aimed at detecting any 'in vivo' release of chromium ions from BIOLOX delta bearings in the blood, erythrocytes and urine of patients. Twenty patients implanted with total hip arthroplasty (THA) with BIOLOX delta-BIOLOX delta couplings and 21 subjects with no implanted prostheses were studied. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry equipped with dynamic reaction cell was used for analysis. In the THA group the Cr ions values were; in blood mean 0.21 µg/l (±0.09), in serum 0.21 µg/l (±0.12), in normalized erythrocytes 0.13 µg/l (±0.09), in normalized urine 0.12 µg/g creatinine (±0.13). In the control group the Cr ions values were; in blood mean 0.22 µg/l (st dev 0.14), in serum 0.17 µg/l (±0.08), in normalized erythrocytes 0.13 µg/l (±0.11), in normalized urine 0.07 µg/g creatinine (±0.08). The Lab reference values were 0.1-5.0 µg/l for blood, 0.1-0.5 µg/l for serum, 0.14-4.58 µg/l for normalised erythrocytes and 0.05-2.2 µg/l for urine. All samples in both groups resulted in chromium levels within the normal reference range and the safety of BIOLOX delta ceramics, in terms of chromium ions release, has been demonstrated.

Revisions of monoblock metal-on-metal THAs have high early complication rates

BACKGROUND

A relatively high percentage of monoblock metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties (THAs) undergo early revision. Revision of these THAs poses challenges unique to this implant type. The early complications after these revisions remain unreported as do the clinical and demographic factors associated with these complications.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We describe (1) the frequency of early complications after revision of monoblock metal-on-metal THA; and (2) the clinical and demographic factors associated with complications.

METHODS

A review of our institution's total joint registry identified 107 patients who underwent 114 revisions of monoblock metal-on-metal THAs. Mean patient age at revision was 60 years (range, 17-84 years), and 65% of the patients were women. Mean followup after revision was 14 months (range, 0-122 months). Revision diagnoses included metallosis (51%), aseptic loosening (27%), infection (7%), pain (6%), malposition (4%), instability (3%), iliopsoas impingement (2%), and periprosthetic fracture (1%). Major complications (instability, infection, aseptic loosening, and wound complications) were documented and included in the analysis. Minor postoperative complications such as urinary tract infection were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 114 procedures (20%) involved at least one early complication after revision of monoblock metal-on-metal THA with 18 (16%) undergoing at least one additional subsequent surgery. The most common complications included aseptic loosening (6%), deep infection (6%), dislocation (4%), and acetabular fracture (3%). Patients who sustained a complication after revision surgery were older on average than those who did not (66 years versus 58 years, p=0.003). There were no differences in complication rate with respect to sex, time to revision, or revision diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications and reoperations occur frequently after revision for failed monoblock metal-on-metal THA (20% and 16%, respectively), and older patients appear to be at greater risk for complications after these revisions. Aseptic loosening, deep infection, and instability are all of great concern after revision and surgeons should be aware of these potential complications when undertaking revision of these THAs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Metal-on-metal hip prostheses: correlation between debris in the synovial fluid and levels of cobalt and chromium ions in the bloodstream

PURPOSE

Hip prostheses with metal-on-metal (MoM) coupling can release cobalt-chromium particles and ions. The aim of this work is to verify the correlation between particles in the synovial fluid and circulating ions.

METHODS

Forty patients were enrolled; particles from synovial fluid were analysed by SEM–EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersion X-rays analysis) and levels of circulating Co and Cr were assayed by ICP-MS (inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry).

RESULTS

In 16 cases we did not find any particles in the synovial fluid and the Co level in whole blood was 0.05–4.42 ppb; in seven with few particles the blood level was 2.2–15.6 ppb; in six cases with several particles the level was 5.0–54.3 ppb; finally, in 11 cases we isolated not only Co-Cr particles, but also Cr particles with low or absent Co and in these patients the circulating level of Co was 23.8–109.6 ppb. Co in serumand Cr level both whole blood and serum have shown a similar trend to Co; the correlation between all these values and the corresponding particles is statistically significant in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Co and Cr both in serum and whole blood represents a systemic representation of the particle release at local level and can therefore be used to confirm a diagnosis and monitor the wear process of MoM articular prostheses.

Minimum ten-year results of a 28-mm metal-on-metal bearing in cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients fifty years of age and younger

PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised in relation to metal-on-metal (MoM) articulations with catastrophic soft-tissue reactions due to metal debris. We reviewed how small head MoM articulations perform in primary uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients at a minimum of ten years.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiographic results of the first 100 consecutive primary cementless THAs using the 28-mm Metasul MoM articulation in 91 patients younger than 50 years of age at the time of surgery.

RESULTS

After 13 years, survival for the endpoint revision due to any reason was 90.9 % and 98.9 % for revision due to aseptic implant loosening. The cumulative incidence of MoM related revisions was 1.2 %. Small proximal femoral osteolysis was found in 18 % of hips. No acetabular osteolysis or loosening was detected. Two hips showed signs of femoral neck impingement with severe damage to the neck.

CONCLUSIONS

Early in the second decade, MoM-associated complications were rare using the 28-mm Metasul articulation, and aseptic loosening was not a major mode of failure in this cohort of young patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV.

Comparison of ten-year survivorship of hip prostheses with use of conventional polyethylene, metal-on-metal, or ceramic-on-ceramic bearings

BACKGROUND

To improve the long-term performance of hip prostheses, alternative bearings with metal-on-metal (MoM) and ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) couples have been introduced. Although currently the results from the use of these bearings are in the midterm stage, there have been few comparative studies of these different bearings.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2002, 487 total hip replacements were performed with use of a BICON-PLUS acetabular cup and an SL-PLUS femoral stem (Plus Orthopedics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland, now Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics). The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of bearing that was used: an MoM group (sixty-nine prostheses), a metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) group (200 prostheses), and a CoC group (218 prostheses). Patient demographic data and data with regard to revision operations were evaluated from the hospital computer database. The mean follow-up period was 8.5 years (range, 6.9 to 10.5 years). Patient activity was assessed with use of the University of California at Los Angeles activity scale.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was sixty years at the time of the index arthroplasty in the MoM and CoC groups, and seventy-one years in the MoP group. Based on a scale of ten, the mean postoperative activity level was six in the CoC group, five in the MoM group, and four in the MoP group. Survival at ten years with regard to revision for any reason was 0.984, 0.956, and 0.879 for the MoP, CoC, and MoM groups, respectively. When revision for any reason was considered as the end point, survival of the MoM bearings was significantly worse than that of the MoP bearings (p = 0.005). Survival at ten years with regard to revision for aseptic loosening was 0.995, 0.990, and 0.894 for the MoP, CoC, and MoM groups, respectively. When revision for aseptic loosening was considered as the end point, survival of the MoM group was significantly worse than that of either the MoP group (p = 0.001) or the CoC group (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing two groups of patients of similar mean age and mean activity level undergoing total hip arthroplasty with the use of alternative bearings, CoC bearings had better survival than did MoM bearings at the ten-year follow-up; the difference was significant when revision for aseptic loosening was defined as a failure. However, neither the CoC nor the MoM alternative bearings provided improved midterm results when compared with the results of the conventional MoP bearings. For older, less active patients, traditional metal-on-polyethylene bearings are the appropriate choice.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Cementless Metasul metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties at 13 years

Second-generation metal-on-metal bearings have been used since the late 1980s as alternative bearings to eliminate aseptic loosening due to polyethylene wear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results of a series of Metasul (Zimmer GmbH, Winterthur, Switzerland) metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA). One hundred forty-nine cementless THAs with a 28-mm Metasul articulation were performed in 111 consecutive patients. The results were retrospectively reviewed at 13 years postoperatively. Clinical and radiographic evaluations and implant survivorship were performed. Seven hips (4.7%) were revised. The overall survivorship with revision for any reason as the end point was 0.94. The average Harris hip score was 91.4. Expansive osteolysis was found adjacent to the stem in 4 hips. Metal wear-related aseptic loosening was not the major reason for failure in our Metasul metal-on-metal THAs. Recurrent dislocation was the main reason for revision in our series.

High survival in young patients using a second generation uncemented total hip replacement

Purpose

Whilst excellent long-term results with contemporary uncemented stems have been reported for total hip arthroplasty in young patients, the survival rates for the whole reconstruction are often compromised by high failure rates on the acetabular site due to peri-acetabular osteolysis and accelerated wear.

Methods

In patients 60 years old or younger, we retrospectively reviewed the results at a minimum of ten years of 89 consecutive uncemented total hip replacements in 88 patients using the press-fit Fitmore acetabular component in combination with the CLS Spotorno stem and a 28-mm Metasul metal-on-metal articulation or a 28-mm alumina ceramic on conventional polyethylene bearing. The mean age at the time of surgery was 49 years (range, 25–60). The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 12 years (range, 10–15).

Results

Six patients (six hips) died and two patients (two hips) were lost to follow-up. Five hips were revised: one for deep infection, one for peri-prosthetic femoral fracture, and one for aseptic stem loosening. In two hips an isolated revision of the acetabular liner was performed (one for recurrent dislocation and one for unexplained pain). No revision was performed for accelerated wear, osteolysis or aseptic loosening of the acetabular shell. We could not detect peri-acetabular osteolysis visible on plain radiographs in those hips evaluated radiographically. The Kaplan-Meier survival with revision for any reason as the endpoint was 94% (95% confidence interval, 86–97) at 12 years.

Conclusions

The survival rates and the radiological outcomes with this implant combination in this young and active patient group are encouraging when compared to the results reported for other uncemented cups in this age group.

State of the art in hard-on-hard bearings: how did we get here and what have we achieved?

Total hip arthroplasty has shown excellent results in decreasing pain and improving function in patients with degenerative disease of the hip. Improvements in prosthetic materials, designs and implant fixation have now resulted in wear of the bearing surface being the limitation of this technology, and a number of hard-on-hard couples have been introduced to address this concern. The purpose of this article is to review the origins, development, survival rates and potential advantages and disadvantages of the following hard-on-hard bearings for total hip arthroplasty: metal-on-metal standard total hip arthroplasty; metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty, ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty; and ceramic-on-metal bearings. Improvements in the manufacturing of metal-on-metal bearings over the past 50 years have resulted in implants that provide low wear rates and allow for the use of large femoral heads. However, concerns remain regarding elevated serum metal ion levels, potential teratogenic effects and potentially devastating adverse local tissue reactions, whose incidence and pathogenesis remains unclear. Modern total hip resurfacing has shown excellent outcomes over 10 years in the hands of experienced surgeons. Current ceramic-on-ceramic bearings have demonstrated excellent survival with exceptionally low wear rates and virtually no local adverse effects. Concerns remain for insertional chipping, in vivo fracture and the variable incidence of squeaking. Contemporary ceramic-on-metal interfaces are in the early stages of clinical use, with little data reported to date. Hard-on-hard bearings for total hip arthroplasty have improved dramatically over the past 50 years. As bearing designs continue to improve with new and modified materials and improved manufacturing techniques, it is likely that the use of hard-on-hard bearings will continue to increase, especially in young and active patients.

Is metal-on-metal squeaking related to acetabular angle of inclination?

BACKGROUND

Postoperative audible squeaking has been well documented in ceramic-on-ceramic hip prostheses, and several metal-on-metal (MOM) THA designs, specifically those used for large-head resurfacing and MOM polyethylene sandwich designs, and are attributed to different implant- and patient-specific factors. Current literature does not identify the incidence of squeaking in modular MOM THA or possible etiologic factors.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Our purposes were to (1) identify the incidence of squeaking in modular MOM prostheses in THA; (2) determine whether males or females were more likely to have squeaking; and (3) determine whether the incidence of squeaking relates to acetabular inclination angle.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the patient records and radiographs of 539 patients (542 hips) from three independent centers who underwent a MOM THA between February 2001 and December 2005. Demographic and implant factors were evaluated, including measurement of cup inclination angles. The minimum followup was 36 months (mean, 76 months; range, 36-119 months).

RESULTS

We identified squeaking in eight of the 542 hips (1.5%); five were in women and two were in men (one patient had bilateral squeaking). The time to onset of patient-reported audible squeaking averaged 23 months (range, 6-84 months). Squeaking was more likely to occur in women (six of eight hips). No hips with 45º or less acetabular inclination squeaked (291 hips); eight of 251 hips (3.2%) with inclination angles greater than 45º squeaked. Patients who reported squeaking had higher inclination angles than those who did not report squeaking.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest an increased frequency of squeaking in female patients and in patients with greater inclination angles with this MOM implant design.

Cementless metal-on-metal versus ceramic-on-polyethylene hip arthroplasty in patients less than fifty years of age: a comparative study with twelve to fourteen-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

We previously reported the outcomes of a case-control study, at a minimum of five years of follow-up, comparing metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-polyethylene bearings for cementless primary hip arthroplasty in active patients below the age of fifty years. This report is an update on these groups after a minimum duration of follow-up of twelve years.

METHODS

Thirty-nine metal-on-metal cementless hip replacements with a 28-mm-diameter Metasul articulation were compared with a control group that included thirty-nine cementless ceramic-on-polyethylene hip replacements performed with a 28-mm-diameter head. The Metasul group included thirty patients with a mean age of forty years (range, twenty-three to forty-nine years), and the control group included thirty-two patients with a mean age of forty-one years (range, fifteen to forty-nine years). The groups were matched for age, activity level, preoperative Harris hip score, acetabular cup diameter, and indication for hip arthroplasty. All patients had a high level of activity, with 82% rated as grade IV or V according to the Devane scale.

RESULTS

After a mean duration of follow-up of thirteen years (twelve to fourteen years), only one hip (3%) had asymptomatic acetabular osteolysis and no hip (0%) had been revised in the metal-on-metal group, whereas eighteen hips (46%) had osteolysis and eleven hips (28%) had been revised because of wear or osteolysis in the ceramic-on-polyethylene group (p < 0.003). In the metal-on-metal group, the median Co concentration in the whole blood was 0.95 μg/L (0.4 to 4.8 μg/L) and the median Cr concentration was 1.2 μg/L (0.1 to 5.6 μg/L). The twelve-year survival rate (with reoperation for any reason as the end point) was 100% in the metal-on-metal group and 70% (95% confidence interval, 63% to 77%) in the ceramic-on-polyethylene group (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

After twelve to fourteen years of follow-up, metal-on-metal implants demonstrated better radiographic and survival results than ceramic-on-polyethylene implants in young, very active patients. Current wrought metal-on-metal implants with a 28-mm-diameter head and high carbide concentration did not produce the high rates of osteolysis and allergic reactions that may be observed with cast low-carbide metal-on-metal bearings after a shorter duration of follow-up.

Metal-on-metal: history, state of the art (2010)

The history of metal-on-metal bearing began with K. Mc Kee. Several "episodes" have marked the history of metal-on-metal articulations, and each has contributed to a better understanding of this type of tribology. But to date the indications for this bearing are debated and are subject to reservations because of the existence of permanently elevated levels of circulating metal ions. It therefore appears that the monitoring of our patients, the documentation of our revisions and the collaboration with our industry partners as well as communicating with our biology and pathology colleagues is necessary to help us solve these problems.

Metal-on-metal bearings total hip arthroplasty: the cobalt and chromium ions release concern

With certain concerns recently reported on metal-on-metal bearing couples in total hip arthroplasty, this study's objective is to review the current knowledge concerning release of metal ions and its potential consequences. Each metal-on-metal implant presents different tribological properties. The analytical techniques for metals are accurate and the Co ion rates seem acceptable up to 2 μg/L. A delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction (atypical lymphocytic vasculitis-associated lesion [ALVAL]) may be the source of arthroplasty failure. Idiosyncratic, it remains unpredictable even using cutaneous tests and apparently is rare (0.3%). Today, there are no scientific or epidemiologic data supporting a risk of carcinogenesis or teratogenesis related to the use of a metal-on-metal bearings couple. Solid pseudotumors nearly exclusively are observed with resurfacing procedures, carrying a high annual revision rate in women under 40 years of age, occurring particularly in cases of acetabular malposition and with use of cast molded Cr-Co alloys. Osteolysis manifests through complete and progressive radiolucent lines or through cavitary lesions stemming from ALVAL-type alterations or impingement problems or implant incompatibility. The formation of wear debris exceeding the biological tolerance is possible with implant malposition, subluxation, and jamming of the femoral head in cases of cup deformity. Moreover, each implant presents different metal ion production; assessment of their performance and safety is required before their clinical use. With the knowledge available today, metal-on-metal bearing couples are contraindicated in cases of metal allergies or end stage renal dysfunction and small size resurfacing should cautiously be used.

Strategies for head and inlay exchange in revision hip arthroplasty

Due to the increasing number of total hip arthroplasties performed during the last three decades and the limited long-term survival, mainly because of wear, the number of revisions has increased during the last two years. If the implant itself is still considered to be stable, only head and inlay exchange is necessary. This requires comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of the articulating materials by the surgeon as the wrong choice of wear couple can lead to early failure for a second time. The aim of this paper is to present considerations and strategies for head and inlay exchange in case of failure, either due to wear of the articulation material or of other indications for revision hip arthroplasty.

Metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty in patients thirty years of age or younger

BACKGROUND

Total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than thirty years of age represents a long-term challenge. As polyethylene wear secondary to a high activity level could be problematic, hard-on-hard bearings have been proposed to reduce wear. The aim of this retrospective case series was to assess the clinical and radiographic results of primary metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty in patients thirty years of age or younger.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied thirty-four patients (forty-seven hips) who had undergone metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty and analyzed the radiographic and clinical measurements after a mean duration of follow-up of 108 months (range, 62.4 to 153.6 months). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was twenty-five years (range, fifteen to thirty years). The diameter of the head of the femoral component was 28 mm in all hips except five, in which it was 32 mm. The metal-on-metal bearing was the same in all patients.

RESULTS

The mean Merle d'Aubigné score increased from 10.6 (range, 1 to 14) to 17.1 (range, 12 to 18). No wear was found on the latest radiograph, but osteolysis was noted in three femora and two acetabula. Two revisions were performed, one because of impingement secondary to cup malorientation and the other because of acetabular loosening with osteolysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis with revision of either component as the end point revealed a ten-year survival rate of 94.5% (95% confidence interval, 80% to 98.6%). The survival rate of the femoral stem was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

These encouraging intermediate-term results indicate that hip arthroplasty with metal-on-metal bearing components may be a suitable solution for young and active patients with hip osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Cup loosening after cemented Metasul® total hip replacement: a retrieval analysis

Small-diameter cemented Metasul® cups have been previously identified to be at high risk of early loosening. We asked whether this particular mode of failure was associated with a specific histological feature. Periprosthetic tissues were obtained at the time of revision of two aseptically loose cemented Metasul® cups. Each tissue sample was processed for routine histological analysis. A slight metallosis was visible microscopically in all tissue samples. Metallic wear-debris particles were present both extracellularly and within the cytoplasm of macrophages. We noted a perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes accompanied by mature plasma cells. Our observations are compatible with the hypersensitivity-like reaction previously reported, described as an aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion (ALVAL). Although wear was within normal reported range limits, this tissue reaction appeared as a consequence of continuous release of metallic ions from the prosthetic articulation. We hypothesise that ALVAL was involved in acetabular component failure, although acetabular loosening may have been initiated by high mechanical stress.

A review of squeaking hips

The incidence of squeaking in hip replacement varies for ceramic-on-ceramic and metal-on-metal bearings, and the implications are not fully understood. Contributing factors may include component malposition, edge loading, impingement, third-body particles, and loss of lubrication. However, squeaking is multifactorial, requiring a certain combination of interaction among patient, surgical, and implant factors. When squeaking is infrequent and function is not impaired, patients should avoid activities that precipitate the squeaking. Surgery is recommended for persistent or troublesome squeaking, severe malpositioning of components, failure of the implants (including fracture), impingement and subluxation, and pain. If necessary, the bearing can be changed during surgery to another ceramic-on-ceramic or to a ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing.