Clinical use
Titanium testing is useful in monitoring patients with metallic prosthetic implant wear e.g hip replacements. In June 21 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency released a medical device alert to annually monitor patients postoperatively after a metallic prosthetic implant and more frequently if the patient is showing symptoms of progressive soft tissue reaction to the wear debris associated with implants.
Background
Titanium is used in metallic prosthetic implants as it is thought to be non – toxic and not rejected by the body, it is thought to be able to stay in place for up to 20 years so is used on younger implant patients so as to reduce the need for further operations. The titanium implant can be alloyed with aluminium, and cobalt. So testing on all of these metals may be required.
Reference ranges
Please see report
Patient preparation
None required
Specimen requirements
Blood: Blue top trace element tube
Urine: Plain universal container
Turnaround time
4 weeks
Referred test
Referred test
Location
Charing Cross Hospital