Abnormalities involving the musculoskeletal system are numerous and frequent in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CR1). The most common radiologic manifestations of CR! are those referred to collec

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Complications of total joint replacements are not infrequent. The authors describe five patients with displacement of the polyethylene component in two knee (metal-backed patellar component) and three hip joint replacements. Clinical, radiographic, surgical, and pathologic findings were reviewed in all cases. Conventional radiographs revealed abnormal position of the metal components in all patients and opaque curvilinear periarticular deposits in four. Arthropathy caused by deposition of small titanium particles from metal friction (in the absence of interposed polyethylene) was pathologically proved to correspond to the periarticular opacity. The subtle radiolucent polyethylene component was identified in all patients; adequate visualization in some cases may necessitate imaging with additional methods such as magnification, phosphor plate, and soft-tissue radiographic techniques; conventional tomography; and arthrography. Early recognition of these abnormalities in patients with painful joint replacements may allow less extensive surgical revision and prevent development of titanium-induced arthropathy.