Chemical speciation of nanoparticles surrounding metal-on-metal hips†
Abstract
Spectromicroscopy of tissue surrounding failed CoCr metal-on-metal hip replacements detected corroded nanoscale debris in periprosthetic tissue in two chemical states, with concomitant mitochondrial damage. The majority of debris contained Cr3+, with trace amounts of oxidised cobalt. A minority phase containing a core of metallic chromium and cobalt was also observed.