Investigation of ischaemic necrosis of the femoral head with trace elements.

This preliminary report examines the possible disturbances in mineral and trace element metabolism in idiopathic ischaemic necrosis of the femoral head. Bony specimens from 45 femoral heads removed from patients with this condition were compared with 62 osteoarthritic and 10 normal femoral heads. Blood analysis was also carried out in the first two groups of patients, who were having joint replacement operations. The normal specimens were obtained at postmortem. Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc were analysed in blood and bone by atom absorption spectrophotometry, and Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Lead by ICP emission spectroscopy. In ischaemic necrosis Magnesium and Copper are especially decreased, but the toxic trace elements Cadmium, Nickel, Lead and Chromium are found in a significantly higher concentration in the femoral head. It is submitted that these findings indicate the need for further investigation.