Z Orthop Unfall 2020; 158(05): 501-507
DOI: 10.1055/a-1187-1751
Review/Übersicht

Systemic Effects of Metals Released from Arthroplasty Implants – a Brief Summary

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Anastasia Rakow
1   Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
2   Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany
,
Janosch Schoon
3   Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Germany
4   Julius Wolff Institute, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

In recent years, increasing concern has been raised regarding potential systemic toxicity of metals released from arthroplasty implants. A lack of valid metal thresholds for human (organ) toxicity and the prospect of multi-decade survival of modern hip and knee replacements pose special challenges. Indeed, evidence of systemic effects of metals released from such implants is largely missing. Systemic cobalt exposure has repeatedly been associated with cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects, and also with thyroid dysfunction. The toxic potential of chromium is considered less pronounced. Yet, in arthroplasty there is usually a co-exposure to chromium and cobalt which complicates evaluation of element-specific effects. Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles has been subject to debate among international regulatory authorities. Their wide use in a variety of products in everyday life, such as toothpaste, cosmetics and food colorants, hampers the assessment of an arthroplasty-induced systemic titanium exposure. To date there is no clear evidence for systemic complications due to titanium dioxide released from arthroplasty implants. Release of further metals such as tantalum, niobium, nickel, vanadium and zirconium from hip and knee replacement implants has been described occasionally, but systemic effects of respective long-term exposure scenarios are unknown. Generally, the characterization of all released metals regarding their chemical and physical specifications is critical for the evaluation of potential systemic risks. Systematic studies investigating the accumulation of metals relevant in arthroplasty in different organs/organ systems and the biological consequences of such accumulations are urgently needed.



Publication History

Article published online:
17 September 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York