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Hip revision due to metal on metal ions.

Posted by sailaway @sailaway, Dec 10, 2019

My husband has two great Metal on Metal (MoM) hips from 2008 and 2010. He and surgeon chose these types of replacements as being appropriate for an athletic person, and he has been able to downhill ski with them. Now he has rising levels of chromium and cobalt, released from friction between the metal surfaces, and many aches and pains throughout body. There is an "impressive" pocket of inflammatory fluid around one hip joint (where metal ions are being released) and we are being advised to have a revision where one of the metal parts is replaced with ceramic. This is pending another blood test and a MARS MRI in 5 months. Appreciate hearing from any others with this experience. Thank you.

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wmh9680 | @wmh9680 | Jul 28 11:27am

We go to Rush in Chicago, they have many sattilitte locations around Chicago, they are the best and their ortos do hundreds of surgeries a year. Where ever you are do a search for the best rated that does alot of what you need.

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rejmsw3021 | @rejmsw3021 | Nov 19 7:37pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @ltsally, I moved your message to this existing discussion about hip revision so you can..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @ltsally, I moved your message to this existing discussion about hip revision so you can connect with @sueinmn @sailaway and @jonpaulcobaltpo. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification to see the discussion and past posts.

Does your husband have an appointment for the revision already or is this something he's considering?

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I am scheduled for a revision in January. Have little pain or disability. Wonder if it is necessary? My cobalt reading is 33.9 and chromium is 11.6. My original surgery was in 2005.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 20 9:28am
In reply to @rejmsw3021 "I am scheduled for a revision in January. Have little pain or disability. Wonder if it..." + (show)
@rejmsw3021

I am scheduled for a revision in January. Have little pain or disability. Wonder if it is necessary? My cobalt reading is 33.9 and chromium is 11.6. My original surgery was in 2005.

Jump to this post

This seems to be an increasing issue with older metal-on-metal implants, perhaps as the metal corrodes. Earlier MOM issues seemed to be more related to unusual wear. In either case, the serum chromium and cobalt levels rise - accept levels are below 4 for each.

In addition to tissue damage and possible bone necrosis, here are some ther health problems that can be caused by high serum cobalt: heart damage or rapid heart rate, tremors or neuropathy, thyroid issues, hair loss, fatigue and damage to the atonomic nervous system.

The only sure way to lower the metal levels is to remove the offending implant(s) - after several months to a year, the body excrete the excess metal and levels return to normal.

What led you to schedule revision?

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