The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Apr 2005
The relationship between activity and ions in patients with metal-on-metal bearing hip prostheses.
Total hip replacements with metal-on-metal bearings are frequently implanted in young, active patients. The relationship between patient activity and cobalt and chromium ion levels has not been investigated, to our knowledge. ⋯ For these patients, serum cobalt and chromium ion levels were not acutely affected by patient activity. Periodic measurements of serum ion levels could be used to monitor the tribologic (lubrication, friction, and wear) performance of a metal-on-metal bearing without adjusting for patient activity. Additional research is needed into the kinetics of ion production, transport, and excretion.