Metal Allergy as a Cause of Implant Failure in Shoulder Arthroplasty

Shoulder arthroplasty generally results in durable reduction of pain and improvements in patient function.1 –5 In the few instances in which these goals are not achieved, a cause such as mechanical implant failure, soft tissue failure, or infection can often be identified.6 However, when the reason for a poorly functioning arthroplasty remains elusive, more infrequent causes of implant failure, such as metal allergy, may be considered. Allergy, or hypersensitivity, to the metal that orthopedic components contain is a relatively uncommon and poorly understood cause of implant failure. Allergic

Source: Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus - October 10, 2017 Category: Opthalmology Authors: Jia-Wei Kevin Ko, MD Source Type: research