Langton et al correlated serum cobalt concentrations with outcomes for patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip prostheses. The authors are from University Hospital of North Tees in Middlesbrough, England.
Analysis: blood cobalt concentration
Serum Co Concentration
Interpretation
Significance
< 1 µg/L
normal
joint functioning optimally
1 to 2 µg/L
slight increase
expected wear
2.01 to 5 µg/L
mild increase
indeterminate
5.01 to 10 µg/L
moderate increase
increased wear
10.01 to 20 µg/L
high
excessive wear, metal staining of tissues, osteolysis
> 20 µg/L
very high
excessive wear, metal staining of tissues, osteolysis, early joint failure
Metallosis is metal staining of tissues.
Detection of an elevated serum cobalt concentration in an asymptomatic patient may be the first indication of an impending problem.
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