J Korean Hip Soc.  2010 Sep;22(3):171-176. 10.5371/jkhs.2010.22.3.171.

Metal-on-Metal Bearing in Total Hip Arthroplasty

• Park YS
• Lim SJ

• KMID: 1461166
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5371/jkhs.2010.22.3.171

Abstract

Metal-on-metal bearings have been reintroduced with the improved materials, design and manufacturing quality control as an alternative to the conventional metal-on-polyethylene articulation. The advantages of total hip arthroplasty using a metal-on-metal bearing include an extremely low wear rate, a very small risk of in vivo fracture and the use of a larger femoral head. These advantages have led to an increased use of metal-on-metal bearings for younger and more active patients with advanced hip disease. Concerns remain regarding the elevated levels of metal ions and their potential consequences such as metal hypersensitivity or potential carcinogenesis.

Keyword

Total hip arthroplasty; Metal-on-metal bearing; Wear; Metal ion

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Head
Hip
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Ions
Quality Control
Ursidae
Ions