Serum concentrations of chromium, cobalt and nickel after total hip replacement: a six month study.

Serum specimens were obtained from 15 patients before undergoing conventional total hip replacement and for periods of up to six months postoperatively. The specimens were analysed for chromium, cobalt and nickel by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy. Serum chromium levels were found to rise to a pronounced postoperative peak and then diminish, although not falling to normal mean levels by six months. Serum cobalt levels either remained the same or decreased while serum nickel levels began to rise two to six weeks after surgery. These results are significant in that serum metal concentration changes have been reported for patients receiving metal-on-metal implants but not for patients with metal-on-polymer total hip implants of more modern designs.