Metal ions in body fluids after arthroplasty.

We measured levels of metal ions in urine and plasma of 17 patients 7-15 years after they had a Co-Cr-Mo alloy total hip replacement. They had higher levels of cobalt and chromium than controls. No case of skin sensitivity to the investigated metals was observed. The values of cobalt and chromium in plasma and urine were considerably lower than in professionally exposed groups and do not represent a toxic hazard for the patients.