Detection of metallic elements migration around a prosthesis by neutron activation analysis and by the PIXE method

In orthopedic surgery, the degradation of metallic implants induces the tra nsfer of some metallic elements from prosthesis to surrounding soft tissues . By neutron activation analysis (NAA), natural amounts of trace metallic e lements were evaluated in normal soft tissues taken from femur without meta llic prosthesis and in abnormal soft tissues taken from femur with metallic prosthesis. Results obtained by this method show clearly contamination of tissues surrounding femurs with metallic prosthesis. With particles induced Xray emission (PIXE), the trace elements migration paths around the prosth esis were also determined. This contamination was measured in the two sides of a soft tissue. Results confirm the transfer of metallic elements from p rosthesis. In addition, the PIXE method indicates that contamination is mor e important in the soft tissue side which was in contact with femur than it is in the opposite side of the same tissue sample.