The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 14-19, January 2007

The Significance of Metal Staining on Alumina Femoral Heads in Total Hip Arthroplasty☆

  • B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, MC213, DC053.00, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212.
    • ,
  • Mohamed N. Rahaman, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri
    • ,
  • Thomas Aleto, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
    • ,
  • F. Scott Miller, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri
    • ,
  • Francesco Traina, MD

      Affiliations

    • Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
    • ,
  • Aldo Toni, MD

      Affiliations

    • Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

Received 5 August 2005; accepted 20 February 2006.

Abstract 

Metallic transfer to alumina can occur intraoperatively and while reducing a dislocated total hip, when the femoral head contacts the rim of the metal acetabular shell. To see if metal discoloration is associated with changes to the alumina, we examined 14 metal-stained alumina femoral heads retrieved from ceramic-on-ceramic articulations using electron microscopy and noncontact profilometry. Metal staining was associated with surface damage to alumina on the femoral heads removed from unstable total hips. The surface roughness of metal-stained alumina heads was significantly greater than that of unused alumina heads. Alumina femoral heads should be protected against contact with the metal cup during total hip implantation. Dislocations in ceramic-on-ceramic total hips should be addressed early because of possible damage to the surface.

Keywords: alumina, metal staining, total hip arthroplasty, surface damage, dislocation

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☆ No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(06)00254-3

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.02.155

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 14-19, January 2007

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