Modular dual-mobility constructs reduce the risk of dislocation after revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, questions about metal ions from the cobalt-chromium (CoCr) liner persist, and are particularly germane to patients being revised for adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) to metal. We determined the early- to mid-term serum Co and Cr levels after modular dual-mobility components were used in revision and complex primary THAs, and specifically included patients revised for ALTR. Serum Co and Cr levels were measured prospectively in 24 patients with a modular dual-mobility construct and a ceramic femoral head. Patients with CoCr heads or contralateral THAs with CoCr heads were excluded. The mean age was 63 years (35 to 83), with 13 patients (54%) being female. The mean follow-up was four years (2 to 7). Indications for modular dual-mobility were prosthetic joint infection treated with two-stage exchange and subsequent reimplantation (n = 8), ALTR revision (n = 7), complex primary THA (n = 7), recurrent instability (n = 1), and periprosthetic femoral fracture (n = 1). The mean preoperative Co and Cr in patients revised for an ALTR were 29.7 μg/l (2 to 146) and 21.5 μg/l (1 to 113), respectively.Aims
Patients and Methods
Modular dual-mobility constructs reduce the risk of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, questions about metal ions from the cobalt-chrome (CoCr) liner persist, and are particularly germane to patients being revised for adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) to metal. We determined the mid-term serum Co and Cr levels after modular dual-mobilities used in revision and complex primary THAs, and specifically included patients revised for ALTR. Serum Co and Cr levels were measured prospectively in 22 patients with a modular dual-mobility construct and a ceramic femoral head. Patients with CoCr heads or contralateral THAs with CoCr heads were excluded. Mean age 64 years with 50% female. The mean follow-up was 4 years. Indications for modular dual-mobility were: periprosthetic joint infection treated with 2-stage exchange and subsequent reimplantation (n=8), ALTR revision (n=7), complex primary THA (n=6), and periprosthetic femoral fracture (n=1). Mean preoperative Co and Cr in patients revised for an ALTR were 29.7 µg/L and 21.5 µg/L, respectively.Introduction
Methods