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Cushion bearings versus large diameter head metal-on-metal bearings in total hip arthroplasty: a short-term metal ion study

  • Hip Arthroplasty
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (MOM THA) has the advantage of replicating the femoral head size, but the postoperative elevation of serum metal ion levels is a cause for concern. Metal-on-polycarbonate-urethane is a new cushion bearing featuring a large diameter metal head coupled with a polycarbonate-urethane liner.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess and compare serum cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) levels in a group of 15 patients treated with a cushion bearing THA system (Group A) and a group of 15 patients treated with a MOM THA system (Group B) at short-term. At a mean follow-up of 27.3 months (18–35 months), in Group A the median Cr and Co serum levels were significantly lower than in Group B, measuring 0.24 μg/L (0.1–2.1 μg/L) and 0.6 μg/L (0.29–2.3 μg/L) compared to 1.3 μg/L (0.1–9 μg/L, p < 0.001) and 2.9 μg/L (0.85–13.8 μg/L, p < 0.001) respectively.

Results

All patients demonstrated an excellent clinical result, as shown by the Harris and Oxford hip scores. The cushion bearing THA studied in this paper showed clinical outcomes similar to the MOM THA bearing, with the advantage of no significant metal ion elevation in the serum.

Conclusion

These findings warrant the continued clinical study of compliant bearing options.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Active Implants Corporation. One of the authors (AM) has a financial relationship with this organization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sports Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Antonio Moroni, Martha Hoque & Elena Diremigio

  2. Active Implants Corporation, Memphis, TN, USA

    Emanuele Nocco

  3. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Policlinico San Pietro, Ponte San Pietro, Italy

    Dario Buffoli & Francesco Cantù

  4. Section of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Simona Catalani & Pietro Apostoli

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  1. Antonio Moroni
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  2. Emanuele Nocco
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Correspondence to Antonio Moroni.

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Moroni, A., Nocco, E., Hoque, M. et al. Cushion bearings versus large diameter head metal-on-metal bearings in total hip arthroplasty: a short-term metal ion study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 132, 123–129 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1364-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1364-8

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