Hip implants -- metal wear impairs bone-forming cells' function

In metal-on-metal pairings, both the shell and head of an implant consist of a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy. The release of metal ions into the body has been reported as a result of implant wear. Bone loss (osteolysis) was observed in many cases. Some implant manufacturers have withdrawn devices of this type from the market. Recently, physicians and researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and DRK Klinikum Westend have been able to show that cobalt and chromium release contrib...