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Involvement of metal particles in loosening of metal-plastic total hip prostheses

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Summary

Four loosened metal-on-plastic total hip prostheses and associated tissues were examined. Each implant showed an uncommonly high formation of metal particles produced by wear or corrosion of the femoral stem. The granulation tissue between bone and cement was characterized by macrophages containing metal particles. Histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural investigations have been performed to assess cellular reactions to ingested metal particles. Pathogenesis of loosening in these cases is discussed in relation to the role of macrophages in bone resorption.

Zusammenfassung

Von 4 gelockerten Hüftgelenktotalendoprothesen wurden die aus Metall und Polymer/Kunststoff bestehenden Implantate und das umgebende Gewebe untersucht. Bei allen Implantaten fanden sich ungewöhnlich reichlich Metallpartikeln, die durch Abrieb oder Korrosion des Femurstiels entstanden waren. Das Granulationsgewebe zwischen Knochen und Zement war charakterisiert durch Makrophagen, die Metallpartikeln enthielten. Es wurden histologische, histochemische und ultrastrukturelle Untersuchungen durchgeführt, um die zellulären Reaktionen auf die gespeicherten Metallpartikeln zu erfassen. Die Pathogenese der Lockerung in diesen Fällen wird in Zusammenhang mit der Rolle von Makrophagen bei der Knochenresorption diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Orthopedics, Via Taramelli, I-27100, Pavia, Italy

    U. E. Pazzaglial & L. Ceciliani

  2. Institute of Anatomy of the University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, I-27100, Pavia, Italy

    C. Dell'Orboz

  3. Institute of Orthopaedics (University of London), Brockley Hill, HA7 4LP, Stanmore, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    M. J. Wilkinson

Authors
  1. U. E. Pazzaglial
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  2. L. Ceciliani
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  3. M. J. Wilkinson
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  4. C. Dell'Orboz
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Pazzaglial, U.E., Ceciliani, L., Wilkinson, M.J. et al. Involvement of metal particles in loosening of metal-plastic total hip prostheses. Arch. Orth. Traum. Surg. 104, 164–174 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454694

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454694

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