Arthroprosthetic Cobaltism

Arthroprosthetic Cobaltism: Neurological and Cardiac Manifestations in Two Patients with Metal-on-Metal Arthroplasty

Published on October 29, 2010; 10.2106/JBJS.J.00125

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) 0:JBJS.J.00125-jbjs.J00125 (2010)

A Case Report

Stephen S. Tower, MD

Anchorage Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic, Suite 200, 3260 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508. E-mail address: tower@afoc.com

• describes about 2 cases who developed symptoms and signs of Cobaltism following Metal on Metal(MoM) hip arthroplasty
• A serum cobalt level of >7 µg/L indicates possible periprosthetic metallosis. A normal serum cobalt level is 0.19 µg/L, and 95% of those who are unexposed to cobalt have a value of <0.41 µg/L.
• A serum cobalt level of >1 µg/L indicates excessive cobalt exposure, and levels of >5 µg/L are considered toxic
• Patients may become high risk for cobaltism if renal function declines and those in which ASR implants are used.