Severe bone defects and reduced mineralization caused by massive metallosis after total knee arthroplasty: histopathologic and bone morphometric findings

Mod Rheumatol. 2007;17(6):507-10. doi: 10.1007/s10165-007-0618-3. Epub 2007 Dec 20.

Abstract

We encountered a patient who developed metallosis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), resulting in loosening of the implant, bone resorption, reduced bone formation, and fracture. The implant was replaced with a NexGen modular revision TKA system after autologous bone and hydroxyapatite granule grafting. Histopathologic examination showed accumulation of metallic debris and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells around the trabecular and cortical bone. Examination of hard tissue specimens showed a reduced bone volume (determined by bone histomorphometry) and an increase of all osteoid parameters, indicating disturbance of mineralization in addition to increased bone resorption.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects*
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / instrumentation
  • Bone Resorption / chemically induced*
  • Bone Resorption / pathology
  • Calcification, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / chemically induced*
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / pathology
  • Humans
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Osteolysis / etiology*
  • Osteolysis / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Prosthesis Failure*
  • Radiography
  • Tetracycline
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibia / drug effects
  • Tibia / pathology
  • Tibial Fractures / chemically induced
  • Tibial Fractures / pathology
  • Tibial Fractures / surgery
  • Titanium / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Titanium
  • Tetracycline