Metal ion levels decrease after revision for metallosis arising from large-diameter metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.

Concerns have been renewed regarding the possible long-term effects of elevated circulating levels of cobalt and chromium as a direct result of implantation of large femoral head diameter metal-on-metal bearings. In order to establish whether metal ion levels remain persistently elevated, we compared metal ion levels before and after revision surgery in patients with large head diameter (greater than 38 mm) metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty or hip resurfacing arthroplasty. At greater than one year post removal of a large-diameter metal-on-metal hip implant for the indication of symptomatic metallosis, metal ion levels were found to fall to almost normal levels.