Chronological changes of serum chromium levels after modern metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

We determined changes in serum chromium concentration every 6 months up to 3 years after implantation in 44 patients (mean age 63 (49-79) years, 35 women) who underwent modern metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (Metasul). The serum chromium levels increased between the first and second year after implantation (1 year: 1.05 (SD 0.76) microg/L, 2 years: 1.46 (SD 0.91) microg/L). A small increase was observed during the third year (1.61 (SD 1.31) microg/L). The clinical relevance of this finding is uncertain and should be determined in long-term studies on a large scale. Copyright 2004 Taylor & Francis