Dermatitis associated with chromium following total knee arthroplasty.

Xiang Gao, Rong-xin He, Shi-gui Yan, Li-dong Wu

Journal: The Journal of arthroplasty 2011;26(4):665.e13-6

PMID: 20663637

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

All metal implants release metal ions because of corrosion. Although 20% to 25% of patients develop metal sensitivity after total joint arthroplasty, which is 10% higher than that in the general population, only very few highly susceptible patients exhibit symptoms. Even patients with known metal allergy often do not react to their metal prosthesis. Systemic allergic contact dermatitis is particularly uncommon with total knee arthroplasty because there is no metal-on-metal contact between the femoral and tibial components. We present a case report of 62-year-old man with dermatitis most likely caused by chromium after total knee arthroplasty and review the relevant literature. Although this complication is very rare, it sometimes can be painful enough for the patient to undergo revision surgery.

Address: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2010.06.002

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MeSH Terms: Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Chromium, Dermatitis, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Knee Prosthesis, Male, Middle Aged, Niobium, Reoperation, Treatment Outcome, Zirconium