Measurement of Metal Ion Levels and Chromosome Abnormalities in Ceramic on Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty in Vivo

The investigators aim to measure the blood levels of certain metals in a group of patients all of whom have had a ceramic on metal total hip replacement. This new bearing surface (joint) is relatively new and the investigators are currently following up the largest cohort in the world. Clinical results are currently excellent at 2 years in all patients, however the investigators are mindful of the lessons learned from the high failure rate of several designs of metal on metal hip replacements as well as several in vitro reports and one in vivo case report of elevated metal levels in this particular implant. The investigators feel it is important to measure the metal ion levels in our group to ascertain and compare these with reference standards. Once performed the investigators can relate ion levels to function and x ray changes and provide useful longterm data to the patients and the wider medical community as to whether this bearing surface is safe in the long term or whether it's use should be abandoned. This is useful as there are numerous groups implanting this device in the UK and in addition it has just been awarded FDA approval in the USA - its use is likely to flourish.