Clinical Testing for Metal-on-Metal Prosthetics

There is an increased interest in the determination of chromium and cobalt blood concentrations in patients receiving metal-on-metal prosthetics. This presentation will highlight key issues surrounding the increased interest in testing and current regulations and guidelines. In addition, the pros and cons of several available specimen types will be discussed. Lastly, current literature regarding the use of blood samples to monitor metal-on-metal prosthetic wear will be presented.

Lecture Presenter
Frederick G. Strathmann, PhD, DABCC (CC, TC)
Frederick Strathmann, PhD, DABCC (CC,TC)
Medical Director, Toxicology Laboratory, ARUP Laboratories
Assistant Professor of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine

Dr. Strathmann is a medical director of the Toxicology Laboratory, as well as an assistant professor of pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Strathmann received his PhD in pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Rochester in New York, completed a clinical chemistry fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle, and is ABCC board certified in clinical chemistry and toxicological chemistry.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

List common health concerns associated with elevated cobalt or chromium blood levels.
Compare heavy metal analysis in synovial fluid with venous sampling for monitoring metal-on-metal joint failure.
Explain the relationship between the degree of metal-on-metal wear in joint replacements and heavy metal blood and serum concentrations.