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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
09:08
Biotribological Testing and Analysis of Articular Cartilage Sliding against Metal for Implants
Published on: May 14, 2020
4.2K
CoCrMo metal release in metal-on-highly crosslinked polyethylene hip implants
Qiong Wang1,2,3, Felipe Eltit1,2,3, Donald Garbuz4
1Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Summary
Adverse local tissue reactions in metal-on-highly crosslinked polyethylene hip implants are linked to metal release. This study shows wear at the articulating surfaces significantly contributes to metal ion and particle release, impacting patient tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Tribology
Background:
- Adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs) are increasingly reported in patients with metal-on-highly crosslinked polyethylene (MoP) hip implants.
- Metal release from MoP hip implants is a known concern, primarily attributed to fretting corrosion at the head-neck junction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate metal release from both articulating surfaces (tribocorrosion) and the head-neck junction (fretting corrosion) in CoCrMo femoral heads of MoP hip systems.
- To correlate metal release with degradation products in periprosthetic tissues, synovial fluid, and serum of patients with ALTRs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of wear damage at articulating surfaces and corrosion at the head-neck junction in explanted MoP hip implants.
- Measurement of metal ion concentrations (Co, Cr) in serum, synovial fluid, and periprosthetic tissues.
- Characterization of wear particles in synovial fluid and tissues.
Main Results:
- Tribocorrosion at the articulating surfaces significantly elevated cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) ion concentrations in serum.
- Fretting corrosion at the head-neck junction primarily released Co ions into the serum.
- Both tribocorrosion and fretting corrosion generated particles rich in Cr and phosphate, prevalent in synovial fluid and tissues.
Conclusions:
- Tribocorrosion at the articulating surfaces of MoP hip implants is a major contributor to significant metal release.
- Understanding these metal release mechanisms is crucial for investigating ALTRs and developing strategies to prevent adverse reactions in total hip replacements.
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