Abstract
Serum and urinary Mo, Cr, Ni and Co concentration was examined in patients with total hip replacement (THR) by a method using a flameless atomic absorption spectrometer. This method is highly sensitive to allow measurement at the ppb level. The subjects were consisted of 28 patients; 11 patients with Müller type, and 17 patients with Charnley type. Mechanical loosening was observed in 7 patients but not in the other 21. The mean postoperative period was 9.3 years. On the other hand, 19 healthy controls without any implants were also examined.
The serum and urinary Mo, Cr, Ni and Co concentration in the group without mechanical loosening were similar to those in the healthy control group. However, the urinary Ni concentrasion in the group showing severe loosening of the prosthesis was significantly higher than in the group without loosening and control. Therefore, high Ni accumulation seemed to be dangerous for patients with decreased renal function.
