What Happens to Serum Metal Ion Levels After a Metal-on-Metal Bearing is Removed?

Serum cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) levels are commonly used to screen for excessive wear of metal-on-metal hip replacements. However, it is unknown how rapidly these should decline after revision. 25 patients with average Co and Cr ion levels of 56.3 μg/L and 20.5 μg/L were followed with serial ion level testing post-revision. Over the first 6 weeks post-revision, the rate of decline for Co and Cr was approximately 2% per day and this slowed to approximately 1% decline per day over the ensuing 6 weeks. This translated to a decline of approximately 80% from the starting value after 6 weeks and a decline of approximately 90% after 12 weeks post-revision. The rate of decline for both Co and Cr was significantly faster during the first 6 weeks (P < 0.001). In patients with ultra-high Cr levels > 20 μg/L, the rate of Cr decline is less predictable and may be protracted leading to persistent elevation above 5 μg/L for one year or more post-revision in some cases.