Journal article
Osteoarthritic Human Synovial Fluid Alters CoCrMo Electrochemical Properties on a Patient-Specific Basis
Journal of orthopaedic research
07 Apr 2025
PMID: 40195073
Abstract
Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) femoral components are widely used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, recent retrospective clinical trials associate moderate adverse local tissue reactions with CoCrMo release in the knee. Additionally, gaps persist in our understanding of the fundamental corrosion processes that occur at the CoCrMo-synovial fluid interface. In this study, we investigated the electrochemical behavior of CoCrMo in human synovial fluid obtained at the time of primary TKA, using CoCrMo in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a comparison. Synovial fluid was collected from 118 patients immediately before arthroplasty, then transferred to a three-electrode electrochemical cell with a wrought CoCrMo alloy working electrode. To quantify electrochemical properties, open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and linear polarization tests were run. Generally, the properties varied on a patient-by-patient basis and significantly differed (p < 0.05) from comparison tests performed in PBS. In human synovial fluid, we measured OCPs between a range of -0.38 and 0.15 V and corrosion potentials (E
) between -0.95 and -0.2 V. Additionally, we reported instantaneous corrosion rates (1/R
) spanning nearly four orders of magnitude. The variability we documented suggested that the electrochemical properties of CoCrMo implants may depend on the patient's local physiological environment, influenced by the biological and chemical components of synovial fluid. Statement of Clinical Significance: This study shows that human synovial fluid affects the electrochemical behavior of CoCrMo, evidenced by the variation on a patient-by-patient basis. This study may have implications for long-term biological response to orthopaedic implants, including total knee arthroplasty.
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Details
- Title
- Osteoarthritic Human Synovial Fluid Alters CoCrMo Electrochemical Properties on a Patient-Specific Basis
- Creators
- Bailey Bond - Campbell ClinicMadison N Brown - University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMichael A Kurtz - Drexel UniversityAlayna Robinson - University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMarc J Mihalko - Campbell ClinicJohn R Crockarell, Jr - University of Tennessee Health Science CenterChristopher T Holland - Campbell ClinicJames L Guyton - Campbell ClinicWilliam M Mihalko - Campbell Clinic
- Publication Details
- Journal of orthopaedic research
- Publisher
- WILEY
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Foundation for Arthroplasty Research and Education (FARE) grant, Grant/Award Number: R073290158.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001461624500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105002140338
- Other Identifier
- 991022047194104721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics