# The Ability of MRI to Detect Adverse Local Tissue Reaction and Implant Integration as a Function of Hip Implant Modularity

> **NIH NIH R01** · HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY · 2020 · $659,681

## Abstract

Project Summary
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been successful in achieving pain reduction, but recent concerns have been
raised regarding the development of adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs). Our previous application focused
on utilizing MRI as a noninvasive biomarker of ALTR, so that appropriate intervention can be recommended
before extensive damage occurs. By evaluating THAs of different bearing materials we found: 1) MRI can detect
and distinguish wear debris from THA; 2) MRI is sensitive to ALTR damage from different articulating
surfaces; and 3) variable host-mediated response to wear debris mounts distinct morphologic patterns on MRI.
There is continued interest in the evaluation of soft tissues near THAs as traditional THA designs, including
metal-on-polyethylene (MOP) and ceramic-on-polyethylene (COP) bearing surfaces, have recently been
implicated in ALTRs. It is believed that fretting and corrosion at the head-neck junction is responsible for
ALTRs, secondary to flexural rigidity and other implant mechanical features. If a greater prevalence of ALTR is
found in components with more flexible connections, this could drive the practice of THA to stiffer
connections.
In this renewal application, we will evaluate two important causes of implant failure: (1) in designs not
traditionally associated with ALTRs such as metal-on-polyethylene (MOP) and ceramic-on-polyethylene (COP)
we will assess patients indicated for revision THA surgery with MRI and correlate the imaging metrics to
targeted biopsy retrieval obtained at the time of revision (including the trunnion), the extent of tissue damage
documented at surgery, and implant retrieval analysis of the neck trunnion, including flexural rigidity analysis;
and (2) to longitudinally assess implant integration using qualitative MRI evaluation of the bone-implant
interface as well as quantitative MRI techniques, T2 mapping and T2* mapping using MAVRIC-UTE, to
evaluate relaxometry at the interface.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9985732
- **Project number:** 5R01AR064840-07
- **Recipient organization:** HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew F. Koff
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $659,681
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-08-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9985732

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9985732, The Ability of MRI to Detect Adverse Local Tissue Reaction and Implant Integration as a Function of Hip Implant Modularity (5R01AR064840-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9985732. Licensed CC0.

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