Hello, it is good that you had a revision to remove the metal on metal hip. How are you doing now? We're you able to get a new hip implanted?
I will repeat, the good news is that once the bad parts are gone, your body slowly excreted the metal. 13 months after my second division (I had two metal on metal hips) my serum chromium and cobalt levels fell below dangerous levels.
On the other hand, you will need to do your own detective work. Find out what implant you had (brand and serial # of each part) from the original surgeon or hospital, or from the doc who removed them. Do some searching for your components on Google to see if you are entitled to any compensation for the revision.If the parts were subject to a recall, were you notified? How did you find out about the metallosis?
Sue
Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
Thank you for helping me right now it's the waiting on ok for MRI I will go from there and I will definitely be asking those questions yours sounds like a horror story,glad you're doing good! Will keep you posted
Yep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
Yep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Michelle - Please ask to see a specialized rehabilitation therapist. The cookie cutter approach - these exercises this week, add these next week, etc - isn't for complex situations.
You need someone to evaluate muscle weakness/loss, your gait, assess your dislocation risk and adjust exercises accordingly. I did a combo of land and water therapy, including extensive gait training (to correct favoring one leg - it was causing back problems.) As soon as the incision healed, I had one pool day & one land day each week for six weeks, with homework in between. Then I went to once a week progress checks for six weeks, but continued my regimen for several months.
Sue
If you have a complicated hip implant situation then I suggest that you get a consult from Dr Gross in Columbia SC. You can send your med records and do a telehealth with him or he may just call you. (803) 256-4107 Grossortho.com
Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
What levels of Co and Chrom are you referring to as metallosis? I have been using Nor Acetyl Cysteine to bind these metals and it appears to have some positive effect. Here's one of the articles about it's use for this https://www.arthroplastytoday.org/article/S2352-3441(20)30060-1/fulltext
If you have a complicated hip implant contact Dr Gross in Columbia SC. I’m interested in how many of you had a total hip replacement vs resurfacing. Who did your original surgery. There is some controversy around the hip resurfacing issue but lots of issues come up with the THR too. I had both of my hips done by Dr Gross using the resurfacing method. No issues after 8 and 7 years out
Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
Yep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Michelle - Please ask to see a specialized rehabilitation therapist. The cookie cutter approach - these exercises this week, add these next week, etc - isn't for complex situations.
You need someone to evaluate muscle weakness/loss, your gait, assess your dislocation risk and adjust exercises accordingly. I did a combo of land and water therapy, including extensive gait training (to correct favoring one leg - it was causing back problems.) As soon as the incision healed, I had one pool day & one land day each week for six weeks, with homework in between. Then I went to once a week progress checks for six weeks, but continued my regimen for several months.
Sue
If you have a complicated hip implant situation then I suggest that you get a consult from Dr Gross in Columbia SC. You can send your med records and do a telehealth with him or he may just call you. (803) 256-4107 Grossortho.com
What levels of Co and Chrom are you referring to as metallosis? I have been using Nor Acetyl Cysteine to bind these metals and it appears to have some positive effect. Here's one of the articles about it's use for this
https://www.arthroplastytoday.org/article/S2352-3441(20)30060-1/fulltext
2nd NAC chelation article 1200mg per day (2nd-NAC-chelation-article-1200mg-per-day.pdf)
If you have a complicated hip implant contact Dr Gross in Columbia SC. I’m interested in how many of you had a total hip replacement vs resurfacing. Who did your original surgery. There is some controversy around the hip resurfacing issue but lots of issues come up with the THR too. I had both of my hips done by Dr Gross using the resurfacing method. No issues after 8 and 7 years out