The clinical implications of metal debris release from the taper junctions and bearing surfaces of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty: joint fluid and blood metal ion concentrations

Aims: We wished to investigate the influence of metal debris exposure on the subsequent immune response and resulting soft-tissue injury following metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty. Some reports have suggested that debris generated from the head-neck taper junction is more destructive than equivalent doses from metal bearing surfaces.

Patients and methods: We investigated the influence of the source and volume of metal debris on chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) concentrations in corresponding blood and hip synovial fluid samples and the observed agglomerated particle sizes in excised tissues using multiple regression analysis of prospectively collected data. A total of 199 explanted MoM hips (177 patients; 132 hips female) were analysed to determine rates of volumetric wear at the bearing surfaces and taper junctions.

Results: The statistical modelling suggested that a greater source contribution of metal debris from the taper junction was associated with smaller aggregated particle sizes in the local tissues and a relative reduction of Cr ion concentrations in the corresponding synovial fluid and blood samples. Metal debris generated from taper junctions appears to be of a different morphology, composition and therefore, potentially, immunogenicity to that generated from bearing surfaces.

Conclusion: The differences in debris arising from the taper and the articulating surfaces may provide some understanding of the increased incidence of soft-tissue reactions reported in patients implanted with MoM total hip arthroplasties compared with patients with hip resurfacings. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:925-33.