Answers from the Lab

Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., describes how measuring chromium and cobalt levels in synovial fluid, rather than whole blood or serum, can better detect a malfunctioning hip implant. Mayo Clinic Laboratories has a new synovial fluid test for patients with symptoms of adverse local tissue reaction to a metal prosthetic implant.

Show Notes

(0:58)
 Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? 
 
 (01:47)
 Could you provide us some background on cobalt and chromium testing, and when these tests are used in patient care?

(03:16)
 You recently completed a study comparing the sensitivity and specificity of cobalt and chromium testing to detect adverse local tissue reactions using synovial fluid versus whole blood samples. Could you tell us more about the study and the results?

(06:12)
 What is your recommendation to physicians treating symptomatic patients with metal-on-metal implants for measuring metal ion levels?

(06:44)
 Could you provide some details on the cobalt and chromium synovial fluid tests available at Mayo Clinic Laboratories? 

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A Mayo Clinic curated podcast sharing Mayo Clinic knowledge and advancements on the state of testing, science, and people who are making it happen behind the scenes.