The size of the clinical impact of corrosion of the taper junction of metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties (MOM-THAs) is unclear. Examination of a large number of retrieved MOM resurfacings and total hip arthroplasties can help us understand the role of taper corrosion in metal ion release.
We graded the severity of corrosion at the taper junction of 395 MOM-THAs and compared the prerevision whole blood metal ion levels of these hips with 529 failed MOM hip resurfacings.
Virtually all MOM-THA hips (n = 388) had evidence of corrosion of the head-stem taper junction and graded as severe in 31% (n = 124). The median cobalt/chromium (Co/Cr) ratio was 1.58 (0.01-13.82) and 1.08 (0-4.86) for MOM-THA and MOM hip resurfacing, respectively; this difference was significant (P < .001). THA hips with severely corroded tapers had the highest median Co/Cr ratio of 1.86 (0.01-10).
This study demonstrates the high prevalence of severe taper corrosion, which may be related to an elevated Co/Cr ratio before revision.