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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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Potentiodynamic Corrosion Testing
Published on: September 4, 2016
Sensitivity to implant materials in patients undergoing total hip replacement
Donatella Granchi1, Elisabetta Cenni, Giovanni Trisolino
1Laboratory for Pathophysiology of Orthopaedic Implants, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy. donatella.granchi.@ior.it
Summary
Skin patch testing reliably detects sensitivity to total hip replacement (THR) materials like bone cement. While not predicting implant failure, positive results correlate with shorter THR survival, suggesting a significant role in adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Implant material sensitivity is a risk factor for total hip replacement (THR) failure.
- Detecting this sensitivity pre-operatively is crucial for improving THR outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of skin patch testing in identifying sensitivity to THR implant components.
- To determine if material sensitivity impacts THR survival rates.
Main Methods:
- Conducted patch testing on 223 patients (pre-THR, stable THR, THR loosening) using cobalt-based alloys (CoCrMo), Ti-based alloys (TiAlV), and bone cements.
- Analyzed the correlation between positive patch tests and THR outcomes, including implant survival.
Main Results:
- Patch testing showed reliability in identifying sensitivity to implant materials.
- Sensitivity to bone cement and a history of hypersensitivity negatively influenced THR survival.
- No significant difference in positive patch test frequency between pre-THR and post-THR patients.
Conclusions:
- Skin patch testing is a reliable tool for assessing hypersensitivity to THR implant materials.
- While not directly predicting failure, positive patch tests, especially to bone cement, are linked to reduced THR lifespan.
- Further research is needed to establish a definitive cause-effect relationship between sensitization and implant failure.
