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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants
Published on: May 14, 2020
Fixation and osteolysis with Metasul metal-on-metal articulation
Lawrence D Dorr1, Zhinian Wan, Leigh Ellen Sirianni
1The Arthritis Institute, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, Inglewood, California 90301, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of osteolysis and loss of fixation using Metasul metal-on-metal articulation couples. Ninety-two patients with 96 hips with Metasul articulation couples were followed for 5 to 11 years. By patient self-assessment, 89 (93%) patients scored themselves as good or excellent. The occurrence of osteolysis and the grading of fixation were obtained from plain radiographs. The clinical evaluation for these patients was performed by patient self-assessment. With the use of plain radiographs, there was no osteolysis observed in these 96 hips other than calcar resorption (6 hips [6.3%]). All components were fixed, except for 1 loose cup that was revised, and this level of fixation allowed a fair evaluation for osteolysis around well-functioning implants.

