Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:43
Potentiodynamic Corrosion Testing
Published on: September 4, 2016
[Metal/metal coupling in total hip arthroplasty. Progress or setback?].
1Labor für Biomechanik und Experimentelle Orthopädie, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377, München. wolfgang.plitz@med.uni-muenchen.de
Der Orthopade
|February 27, 2007
Summary
Metal-on-metal hip implants, introduced in 1966, showed early promise but suffered from poor outcomes. Second-generation implants (1999) improved results through better materials and manufacturing, though cobalt and chromium levels require further study.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomaterials science
- Implant technology
Context:
- Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip prostheses were first used clinically in 1966.
- Initial MoM couplings aimed for lower wear and better stability than polyethylene alternatives.
- Early MoM designs faced challenges with high loosening rates due to manufacturing defects and component mismatch.
Purpose:
- To review the evolution and clinical performance of metal-on-metal hip implants.
- To compare first-generation (McKee-Farrar) and second-generation MoM hip systems.
- To address the long-term clinical outcomes and potential concerns associated with MoM bearings.
Summary:
- The first generation of MoM hip implants (circa 1966) demonstrated high failure rates, primarily attributed to suboptimal manufacturing quality and inconsistent component assembly.
- A modified, second-generation MoM hip coupling was introduced in 1999, featuring advanced CoCrMo materials and superior manufacturing techniques.
- While clinical results for the second-generation MoM implants appear improved, the potential pathological relevance of elevated cobalt and chromium ion levels remains an open question.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical role of manufacturing quality and material science in the success of orthopedic implants.
- Provides historical context for the development and refinement of hip replacement technology.
- Raises important considerations regarding ion release and patient safety in MoM bearing systems, necessitating ongoing research into long-term effects.
