Publication Date

Summer 8-8-2022

Faculty Mentor

Dr. William Mihalko, MD, PhD

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Cobalt-Chromium alloy is commonly used in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Several studies have investigated evidence of inflammatory-cell-induced-corrosion (ICIC) causing pitting in TJA retrieved implants. Others have determined that placing orthopedic alloys into lower pH solutions will increase the rate of corrosion. We have determined that electrochemical potential and corrosion rates of human knee synovial fluid show a variation greater than an order of magnitude. This means there is going to be a significant variation between a patient’s local environment of the TJA implant and may affect how macrophages interact with alloy oxide layers. Knee disability can be quantified by using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOSJR). In order to determine predictive measures of patient outcomes, we plan to measure the electrochemical properties of patient implants and associate them with these KOOSJR scores. In addition, we plan to further investigate the effects and extent of macrophage-mediated damage to alloys when under inflammatory conditions. The current results are inconclusive, but suggest that there is a relationship between these parameters and patient outcomes and encourage further investigation of the mechanisms at play.

Download

Share

COinS