METAL ION RELEASE ACCORDING TO LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY IN CERAMIC-ON-METAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

The ceramic-on-metal (CoM) bearing has the theoretical advantages over ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) and metal-on-metal bearings. This study aimed to analyze factors affecting the metal ion release of CoM bearings and compare clinical performance with CoC bearings.

The 147 patients were divided into 96 patients in group 1 (CoM group) and 51 patients in group 2 (CoC group). Additionally, within group1, 48 patients and 30 patients were sub-categorized into group 1-A with leg length discrepancy (LLD) less than 1cm and group 1-B greater than 1 cm. The level of serum metal ions, functional scores and plain radiographs were obtained for the analysis.

The level of cobalt (Co) 2-years after surgery and chromium (Cr) 1-year after surgery showed significantly higher in the group1 than the group2. LLD indicated statistically significant positive correlation between serum metal ion levels among CoM bearing THAs. In comparison of the average metal ions level changes, group 1-B showed higher level of metal ion than group 1-A.

In patients underwent THA with CoM bearings, large LLD have a higher risk of complications associated to metal ions. Therefore, it is critical to reduce the LLD to 1 cm or less in using CoM bearing. Level of Evidence III; Case Control Study.