A High Prevalence of Corrosion at the Head-Neck Taper with Contemporary Zimmer Non-Cemented Femoral Hip Components

J Arthroplasty. 2015 Jul;30(7):1265-8. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2015.02.019. Epub 2015 Feb 19.

Abstract

Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) occurs at metal/metal modular junctions in which at least one of the components is fabricated from cobalt-chromium alloy and may lead to adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR) in patients with metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) total hip arthroplasty. This type of reaction has been previously described in hips with head/neck modularity, but the prevalence is unknown. We found a prevalence of 1.1 percent in a consecutive series of 1356 contemporary Zimmer non-cemented femoral hip components followed for a minimum of 2years. The average time to presentation was 3.7years (range, 9-105months); delay in treatment led to irreversible soft tissue damage in three patients. We recommend usage of ceramic heads until this problem is further understood.

Keywords: THA; adverse local tissue reaction; failure; hip; metal-on-polymer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / adverse effects*
  • Ceramics
  • Chromium / chemistry*
  • Chromium Alloys / chemistry*
  • Cobalt / chemistry*
  • Corrosion
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hip Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyethylene / chemistry*
  • Prevalence
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Failure*
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Chromium Alloys
  • Chromium
  • Cobalt
  • Polyethylene