Serum Metal Ions with a Titanium Modular Neck Total Hip Replacement System

The goal of this study is to evaluate serum levels of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), and titanium (Ti) within the first two years following total hip arthroplasty using a Ti modular neck system. Twenty-five patients were randomized to a metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing with an all CoCr shell, and the remaining 25 received a metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) with a Ti shell. Serum levels demonstrated increases for Cr, Co, and Ti at 1 year (P < .001). MoM had similar Ti levels to MoP hips at 1 year (P=0.11) but lower at 2 years (P=0.03). Results suggest that the passive corrosion (i.e., chemical, pitting, and crevice corrosion) of exposed non-articular metal surfaces may be a greater source of ions than the neck-stem or head-neck interfaces.