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Volume 22, Issue 1, Pages 14-19 (January 2007)


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

B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBACorresponding Author Information, Mohamed N. Rahaman, PhD, Thomas Aleto, MD, F. Scott Miller, PhD, Francesco Traina, MD, Aldo Toni, MD

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.

 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri

 Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri

 Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy

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.

 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


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