We report a patient who developed titanium metallosis after uncemented bipolar shoulder replacement, where the bipolar bearing was cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloy on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. At revision surgery, extensive metallosis in the tissues was noted. Examination of the retrieved prosthesis revealed no evidence of wear of the bipolar articulation, although areas on the humeral stem were found where the porous titanium coating had debonded and separated from the stem. Analysis of the tissues revealed the metallic particles within the soft tissues to be almost exclusively titanium, which most likely originated from the debonded porous titanium coat.
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No authors listed.Focus on fixation. Porous plasma spray.Warsaw, Indiana: Biomet Orthopedics, Inc., 2002.
