The Relationship Between Activity and Ions in Patients with Metal-on-Metal Bearing Hip Prostheses

Abstract

For these patients, serum cobalt and chromium ion levels were not acutely affected by patient activity. Periodic measurements of serum ion levels could be used to monitor the tribologic (lubrication, friction, and wear) performance of a metal-on-metal bearing without adjusting for patient activity. Additional research is needed into the kinetics of ion production, transport, and excretion.