Metal Ion Levels After Ceramic-on-ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty

ObjectiveSerum aluminium, titanium, zirconium and vanadium levels were measured to evaluate the short-term metal ion levels after third- and fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty.MethodsBetween October 2011 to June 2012,41 patients were recruited in our study. Serum ion levels were measured in 16 patients with third-generation alumina ceramic-on-ceramic implants (group A),11 subjects with fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic implants (group B), and 14 persons that would perform total hip arthroplasty (group C). Group A and B received either a third-generation or fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, femoral neck fracture or developmental dysplasia of the hip. The preoperative diagnoses of the group C were osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The serum aluminium, titanium, zirconium and vanadium levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry.ResultsComparisons of serum aluminium, titanium, zirconium and vanadium ion levels between the cohorts revealed no significant differences between the A,B,C groups (P>0.05). The group A had a mean follow-up of(22.1±6.8) months (range,14-37 months), and the mean Harris hip score was 94.8±3.5 (range,88-100) points at latest follow-up. The group B with an average follow-up of(21.7±8.1) months (range,13-40 months), had a mean Harris hip score of 94.8±3.5 (range,88-100) points at the time of follow-up.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that third- and fourth-generation ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty do not cause elevated levels of serum aluminium, titanium, zirconium and vanadium in the short-term.