I am told I need revision surgery by orthopedic surgeon. I am 96 have no symptoms cobalt reading of 33.9 and chromium 11.6. Have had xrays and mri. Any suggestions Are those levels considered high. am getting a second opinion in a couple of weeks
Yes the levels are high, and increase risks of some things like tissue damage around the implant, heart damage, memory loss and thyroid problems among others.
But, at age 96, major surgery and recovery also carry significant risks. When you see the surgeon for a second opinion, maybe the two of you could do a risk analysis and decide whether to take action.
Be sure the surgeon is experienced in doing revisions, and does his surgery in a hospital, not a same-day surgery center. The risk of needing a transfusion due to surgical blood loss rises as we get older, and most same-day places don't keep you long enough to monitor this issue.
Good luck, and if you have trouble getting your questions answered, we're here to chat.
I get my blood tested every year and my cobalt levels have been shooting up over the last few years. Right now it’s at about 28 up from 17 last year. I do not wanna go through revision surgery and I have no symptoms but this is making me nervous. My doctor keeps saying it’s parts per billion but with this fast rise I’m just nervous about it.
I get my blood tested every year and my cobalt levels have been shooting up over the last few years. Right now it’s at about 28 up from 17 last year. I do not wanna go through revision surgery and I have no symptoms but this is making me nervous. My doctor keeps saying it’s parts per billion but with this fast rise I’m just nervous about it.
Hello, have you been told you have metal-on-metal hip implants? Has anyone explained the potential effect of cobalt metalosis on your body long-term?
If your levels continue to increase, surgery is the only option. Chronic high cobalt levels can affect the heart, kidneys, live, nervous system, thyroid, and the tissues surrounding the implant.
Maybe it would help to have baseline Thyroid, liver and kidney panels drawn to see if any functions are being affected. Also, imaging of the hip area to see if there is evidence of tissue breakdown. If things still look okay, maybe it is okay to wait a year and compare not only the cobalt levels but all of the functional blood tests as well.
As a cautionary tale, I had 2 metal-on-metal hip implants, my levels were high in October, but the surgeon told me it would be fine to wait until spring for revision surgery. By April, I had hyperthyroid, tremors, a rapid heartbeat, was losing weight and my hair, and had a lot of tissue damage. It took a long time to recover - not from the surgery, but from the side effects, and I was left with a permanent tremor & rapid heartbeat. There are still grooves in both thighs where a huge a mount of dying tissue had to be removed, and my muscles never fully recovered there.
The revision surgery was easier than the original - they typically do not remove the stem in the femur or the acetabular cup, they just replace the ball & the cup liner. So you only need to wait for the tissues to heal, not for the bones and implants to grow together.
Hello, have you been told you have metal-on-metal hip implants? Has anyone explained the potential effect of cobalt metalosis on your body long-term?
If your levels continue to increase, surgery is the only option. Chronic high cobalt levels can affect the heart, kidneys, live, nervous system, thyroid, and the tissues surrounding the implant.
Maybe it would help to have baseline Thyroid, liver and kidney panels drawn to see if any functions are being affected. Also, imaging of the hip area to see if there is evidence of tissue breakdown. If things still look okay, maybe it is okay to wait a year and compare not only the cobalt levels but all of the functional blood tests as well.
As a cautionary tale, I had 2 metal-on-metal hip implants, my levels were high in October, but the surgeon told me it would be fine to wait until spring for revision surgery. By April, I had hyperthyroid, tremors, a rapid heartbeat, was losing weight and my hair, and had a lot of tissue damage. It took a long time to recover - not from the surgery, but from the side effects, and I was left with a permanent tremor & rapid heartbeat. There are still grooves in both thighs where a huge a mount of dying tissue had to be removed, and my muscles never fully recovered there.
The revision surgery was easier than the original - they typically do not remove the stem in the femur or the acetabular cup, they just replace the ball & the cup liner. So you only need to wait for the tissues to heal, not for the bones and implants to grow together.
Yes, I have a metal in metal hip. I do get an x-ray once a year to take a look at it. I will do that pretty soon. The reason I am avoiding revision surgery is because it takes me out of action for several months. My leg muscles atrophy and I can’t dance. Just so happens that I dance professionally outside of my Regular occupation.
What were your levels when you started having those symptoms? I have no symptoms and there’s no deterioration in the joint from what we’ve seen so far. I know it’s getting a little loose cause it’s clicking a little bit when I do certain yoga moves. You see dancing yoga are a huge part of my life.
Hello, have you been told you have metal-on-metal hip implants? Has anyone explained the potential effect of cobalt metalosis on your body long-term?
If your levels continue to increase, surgery is the only option. Chronic high cobalt levels can affect the heart, kidneys, live, nervous system, thyroid, and the tissues surrounding the implant.
Maybe it would help to have baseline Thyroid, liver and kidney panels drawn to see if any functions are being affected. Also, imaging of the hip area to see if there is evidence of tissue breakdown. If things still look okay, maybe it is okay to wait a year and compare not only the cobalt levels but all of the functional blood tests as well.
As a cautionary tale, I had 2 metal-on-metal hip implants, my levels were high in October, but the surgeon told me it would be fine to wait until spring for revision surgery. By April, I had hyperthyroid, tremors, a rapid heartbeat, was losing weight and my hair, and had a lot of tissue damage. It took a long time to recover - not from the surgery, but from the side effects, and I was left with a permanent tremor & rapid heartbeat. There are still grooves in both thighs where a huge a mount of dying tissue had to be removed, and my muscles never fully recovered there.
The revision surgery was easier than the original - they typically do not remove the stem in the femur or the acetabular cup, they just replace the ball & the cup liner. So you only need to wait for the tissues to heal, not for the bones and implants to grow together.
Yes, I have a metal in metal hip. I do get an x-ray once a year to take a look at it. I will do that pretty soon. The reason I am avoiding revision surgery is because it takes me out of action for several months. My leg muscles atrophy and I can’t dance. Just so happens that I dance professionally outside of my Regular occupation.
What were your levels when you started having those symptoms? I have no symptoms and there’s no deterioration in the joint from what we’ve seen so far. I know it’s getting a little loose cause it’s clicking a little bit when I do certain yoga moves. You see dancing yoga are a huge part of my life.
You will not see deterioration in the hip itself - the deterioration comes in the surrounding tissue. If you wait until it becomes necrotic (dying) you risk far more severe consequences including permanent muscle, nerve and tendon damage.
My cobalt levels are lost in the mists of time - my revision was done almost 14 years ago. I had little loss of muscle strength during healing from my revision surgery - in fact I was social dancing after 4 weeks, and had resumed all of my activities by 6 weeks. I can tell you that revision on the second hip was 3 months later, and by that time the tissue damage was much more pronounced. If I were you, I would be more concerned about loss of function from waiting too long, but only you can decide.
You will not see deterioration in the hip itself - the deterioration comes in the surrounding tissue. If you wait until it becomes necrotic (dying) you risk far more severe consequences including permanent muscle, nerve and tendon damage.
My cobalt levels are lost in the mists of time - my revision was done almost 14 years ago. I had little loss of muscle strength during healing from my revision surgery - in fact I was social dancing after 4 weeks, and had resumed all of my activities by 6 weeks. I can tell you that revision on the second hip was 3 months later, and by that time the tissue damage was much more pronounced. If I were you, I would be more concerned about loss of function from waiting too long, but only you can decide.
Ok thanks. It took me a year at least to get my splits and balance back after the first two which were 11 years apart. I had so much muscle atrophy that I can wear short skirts anymore. I work out daily and I’m not interested in giving up. Of course I don’t want permanent damage either. I expect speak with my doctor today. I appreciate your information.
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Yes the levels are high, and increase risks of some things like tissue damage around the implant, heart damage, memory loss and thyroid problems among others.
But, at age 96, major surgery and recovery also carry significant risks. When you see the surgeon for a second opinion, maybe the two of you could do a risk analysis and decide whether to take action.
Be sure the surgeon is experienced in doing revisions, and does his surgery in a hospital, not a same-day surgery center. The risk of needing a transfusion due to surgical blood loss rises as we get older, and most same-day places don't keep you long enough to monitor this issue.
Good luck, and if you have trouble getting your questions answered, we're here to chat.
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1 ReactionI get my blood tested every year and my cobalt levels have been shooting up over the last few years. Right now it’s at about 28 up from 17 last year. I do not wanna go through revision surgery and I have no symptoms but this is making me nervous. My doctor keeps saying it’s parts per billion but with this fast rise I’m just nervous about it.
Hello, have you been told you have metal-on-metal hip implants? Has anyone explained the potential effect of cobalt metalosis on your body long-term?
If your levels continue to increase, surgery is the only option. Chronic high cobalt levels can affect the heart, kidneys, live, nervous system, thyroid, and the tissues surrounding the implant.
Maybe it would help to have baseline Thyroid, liver and kidney panels drawn to see if any functions are being affected. Also, imaging of the hip area to see if there is evidence of tissue breakdown. If things still look okay, maybe it is okay to wait a year and compare not only the cobalt levels but all of the functional blood tests as well.
As a cautionary tale, I had 2 metal-on-metal hip implants, my levels were high in October, but the surgeon told me it would be fine to wait until spring for revision surgery. By April, I had hyperthyroid, tremors, a rapid heartbeat, was losing weight and my hair, and had a lot of tissue damage. It took a long time to recover - not from the surgery, but from the side effects, and I was left with a permanent tremor & rapid heartbeat. There are still grooves in both thighs where a huge a mount of dying tissue had to be removed, and my muscles never fully recovered there.
The revision surgery was easier than the original - they typically do not remove the stem in the femur or the acetabular cup, they just replace the ball & the cup liner. So you only need to wait for the tissues to heal, not for the bones and implants to grow together.
Why are you avoiding revision surgery?
Yes, I have a metal in metal hip. I do get an x-ray once a year to take a look at it. I will do that pretty soon. The reason I am avoiding revision surgery is because it takes me out of action for several months. My leg muscles atrophy and I can’t dance. Just so happens that I dance professionally outside of my Regular occupation.
What were your levels when you started having those symptoms? I have no symptoms and there’s no deterioration in the joint from what we’ve seen so far. I know it’s getting a little loose cause it’s clicking a little bit when I do certain yoga moves. You see dancing yoga are a huge part of my life.
Also, your explanation of recovery time was extremely helpful.
You will not see deterioration in the hip itself - the deterioration comes in the surrounding tissue. If you wait until it becomes necrotic (dying) you risk far more severe consequences including permanent muscle, nerve and tendon damage.
My cobalt levels are lost in the mists of time - my revision was done almost 14 years ago. I had little loss of muscle strength during healing from my revision surgery - in fact I was social dancing after 4 weeks, and had resumed all of my activities by 6 weeks. I can tell you that revision on the second hip was 3 months later, and by that time the tissue damage was much more pronounced. If I were you, I would be more concerned about loss of function from waiting too long, but only you can decide.
Ok thanks. It took me a year at least to get my splits and balance back after the first two which were 11 years apart. I had so much muscle atrophy that I can wear short skirts anymore. I work out daily and I’m not interested in giving up. Of course I don’t want permanent damage either. I expect speak with my doctor today. I appreciate your information.