Adverse Reaction to Corrosion

Description

Professor Dominic Meek gives his expert insights into a case which is presented involving a 74-year-old patient experiencing hip pain, swelling, and instability after undergoing a total hip replacement with a metal head and highly cross-linked polyethylene liner. Post-operative imaging has revealed cystic and solid mixed soft tissue lesions around the hip. During surgery, signs of corrosion were noted at the head-neck junction, although bacterial cultures from multiple samples were negative, indicating no infection. Professor Meek highlights the possibility of an adverse reaction to metal corrosion rather than a parasitic joint infection. The potential causes of the corrosion and its effects on the hip joint are considered. Recommendations for treatment include debridement of the affected area and the use of a titanium sleeve to prevent further corrosion, as well as the option to replace the metal head with a ceramic one to minimize reactions due to incompatible metals.


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DOI: 10.1302/3114-251267

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