@bwilk Those levels indicate you have a deteriorating prosthetic hip or knee.
The good news is there is a fix - revision to replace the chromium and cobalt elements of the implant. Then the body will eliminate the excess heavy metals through your blood, liver and urine.
The bad news is that excess chromium and cobalt have increasing effects on your body over time, and they can be serious. There is no effective chelation therapy for chromium and cobalt as long as more is being deposited by the implants.
Can you tell us a little more about when you got implants, what brand they are (if you know) and any symptoms that led you to be tested?
Sue
I had high cobalt and chromium poisoning last year.
I just finished my second hip revision this year and will check on cobalt/chromium levels in 2 months. Unfortunately, there can be long term systemic effects on the body that usually cannot be reversed.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding long term effects of exposure. I ask every Doctor if they are aware of this issue. Only my Orthopedic Surgeon was aware.
I hope this person gets revisions done quickly.
Thanks for replying back. The first Right hip surgery was done in 2010, then was revised in 2014. The implant is a Zimmer Kinectiv modular head with 54 continuum shell , 2 acetabular screws with 36 length elevated lip liner E-Poly. in March of 2023 I fall on the ice and tore the gluteus medius, this was found out with a MarsMRI and the implant appears to be set and solid. I also had a left shoulder done in 2001, this has become problematic. Did research to find out what brand of implant and found the Doctor that did the surgery has been retired and no longer lives in the states and also the the hospital where the surgery was done has no records past 2010, so info is not available. The shoulder is 23 years old this year, and is quite painful at time, so I do think it is the implant to be looked at, I have secured an appointment with an Ortho at NYU Lagone in Feb. But have been a past patient at Mayo, last time I was there was 2010. I also have both knees right knee done in 2016and revised in 2017 with Legion Tibial baseplate, Legion Hemi screws, Legion pressfit stem, and Genesis II Posterior stabilized articular insert. Left knee was done in 2018. Both knees were done at NYU Lagone and seem solid, will have them checked also. Just would like some thoughts if I am approaching this the right way, know my cobalt-chronium levels are way high. Lots to read and take in I really do feel it is the 23 years old hemi shoulder, it's gone well pass its fail date. Thanks Jonny Wilkens
My husband has a MoM implant from 2009 and has levels of cobalt and chromium in his blood and urine for years. For all these years, his Dr recommended that as he was not in pain and had no tissue/inflammation/joint deterioration that he did not need revision surgery. Fast forward and my husband has been diagnosed for 5 years with Parkinson's-- however he never responded to typical treatments for such diagnosis. I have always felt his issues have stepped from the toxins. Has anybody found any non-invasive solutions to remove, or at least diminish, them in the body? I have started him on N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, which is supposed to help. If someone has had hip revision surgery, do you have a recommended ortho and did the revision stop the metal production? Has anybody found more research and/or a good toxicologist? Thank you. Sally
My husband has a MoM implant from 2009 and has levels of cobalt and chromium in his blood and urine for years. For all these years, his Dr recommended that as he was not in pain and had no tissue/inflammation/joint deterioration that he did not need revision surgery. Fast forward and my husband has been diagnosed for 5 years with Parkinson's-- however he never responded to typical treatments for such diagnosis. I have always felt his issues have stepped from the toxins. Has anybody found any non-invasive solutions to remove, or at least diminish, them in the body? I have started him on N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, which is supposed to help. If someone has had hip revision surgery, do you have a recommended ortho and did the revision stop the metal production? Has anybody found more research and/or a good toxicologist? Thank you. Sally
@sallysher First, removal of the offending implants will remove the source of chromium and cobalt, so the levels with diminish. One year after revision, my levels had fallen to the normal range. As far as I know, removal is the only long-term solution.
Second, the tremors, gait problems, brain fog and other issues can also be caused by metal poisoning, so it is possibly the reason he is not responding to typical Parkinson treatments.
My revisions, while not fun, resolved all my issues except tremors and an elevated heart rate. I have managed these for over 10 years without a problem.
Finding a revision surgeon is another matter. I was ab P e to get a recommendation from a PT I trusted,
@sallysher First, removal of the offending implants will remove the source of chromium and cobalt, so the levels with diminish. One year after revision, my levels had fallen to the normal range. As far as I know, removal is the only long-term solution.
Second, the tremors, gait problems, brain fog and other issues can also be caused by metal poisoning, so it is possibly the reason he is not responding to typical Parkinson treatments.
My revisions, while not fun, resolved all my issues except tremors and an elevated heart rate. I have managed these for over 10 years without a problem.
Finding a revision surgeon is another matter. I was ab P e to get a recommendation from a PT I trusted,
@sallysher Dr Cyril (Jay) Kruse at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Blaine, Minnesota. In addition to being a first-class surgeon, the best cortisone injection doc I ever met, and a really nice guy, he is an avid gardener and a Parrothead.
Hi,
I have had 2 MOM THR's one in 2007 and other in 2009. Had elevated cobalt and chromium. Had revision of 1 hip due to tissue damage around implant and pain in 2015. Cobalt and chromium levels have gone down but not completely as other MOM implant (Depuy) is still in my body. Have now had 2 different types of cancers, one is a very rare form of cancer (neuroendocrine tumor) Surgery to do revision of other hip not an option right now due to other serious medical issues Very little research on the impact of systemic cobalt, chromium Does anyone know toxicologist or someone who can address this. I believe cobalt & chromium are known carcinogens.
Dr. Robert Harrison at UCSF is a toxicologist (called occupational health) with a special expertise in these issues. He monitored my Cobalt level after my revision two years ago and was very supportive. +1 (415) 353-9681
Hi,
I have had 2 MOM THR's one in 2007 and other in 2009. Had elevated cobalt and chromium. Had revision of 1 hip due to tissue damage around implant and pain in 2015. Cobalt and chromium levels have gone down but not completely as other MOM implant (Depuy) is still in my body. Have now had 2 different types of cancers, one is a very rare form of cancer (neuroendocrine tumor) Surgery to do revision of other hip not an option right now due to other serious medical issues Very little research on the impact of systemic cobalt, chromium Does anyone know toxicologist or someone who can address this. I believe cobalt & chromium are known carcinogens.
@stephanieann so how come no one has info on nickel. I am highly allergic to nickel yet that metal level isn't tested. How come? Pretty soon it will be full time in a wheelchair. I metal screws place as part of the THR procedure and believe nickel is to blame but as far as I know, they don't test the levels.
Does anyone have insights?
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
@bwilk Those levels indicate you have a deteriorating prosthetic hip or knee.
The good news is there is a fix - revision to replace the chromium and cobalt elements of the implant. Then the body will eliminate the excess heavy metals through your blood, liver and urine.
The bad news is that excess chromium and cobalt have increasing effects on your body over time, and they can be serious. There is no effective chelation therapy for chromium and cobalt as long as more is being deposited by the implants.
Can you tell us a little more about when you got implants, what brand they are (if you know) and any symptoms that led you to be tested?
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had high cobalt and chromium poisoning last year.
I just finished my second hip revision this year and will check on cobalt/chromium levels in 2 months. Unfortunately, there can be long term systemic effects on the body that usually cannot be reversed.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding long term effects of exposure. I ask every Doctor if they are aware of this issue. Only my Orthopedic Surgeon was aware.
I hope this person gets revisions done quickly.
Thanks for replying back. The first Right hip surgery was done in 2010, then was revised in 2014. The implant is a Zimmer Kinectiv modular head with 54 continuum shell , 2 acetabular screws with 36 length elevated lip liner E-Poly. in March of 2023 I fall on the ice and tore the gluteus medius, this was found out with a MarsMRI and the implant appears to be set and solid. I also had a left shoulder done in 2001, this has become problematic. Did research to find out what brand of implant and found the Doctor that did the surgery has been retired and no longer lives in the states and also the the hospital where the surgery was done has no records past 2010, so info is not available. The shoulder is 23 years old this year, and is quite painful at time, so I do think it is the implant to be looked at, I have secured an appointment with an Ortho at NYU Lagone in Feb. But have been a past patient at Mayo, last time I was there was 2010. I also have both knees right knee done in 2016and revised in 2017 with Legion Tibial baseplate, Legion Hemi screws, Legion pressfit stem, and Genesis II Posterior stabilized articular insert. Left knee was done in 2018. Both knees were done at NYU Lagone and seem solid, will have them checked also. Just would like some thoughts if I am approaching this the right way, know my cobalt-chronium levels are way high. Lots to read and take in I really do feel it is the 23 years old hemi shoulder, it's gone well pass its fail date. Thanks Jonny Wilkens
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy husband has a MoM implant from 2009 and has levels of cobalt and chromium in his blood and urine for years. For all these years, his Dr recommended that as he was not in pain and had no tissue/inflammation/joint deterioration that he did not need revision surgery. Fast forward and my husband has been diagnosed for 5 years with Parkinson's-- however he never responded to typical treatments for such diagnosis. I have always felt his issues have stepped from the toxins. Has anybody found any non-invasive solutions to remove, or at least diminish, them in the body? I have started him on N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, which is supposed to help. If someone has had hip revision surgery, do you have a recommended ortho and did the revision stop the metal production? Has anybody found more research and/or a good toxicologist? Thank you. Sally
@sallysher First, removal of the offending implants will remove the source of chromium and cobalt, so the levels with diminish. One year after revision, my levels had fallen to the normal range. As far as I know, removal is the only long-term solution.
Second, the tremors, gait problems, brain fog and other issues can also be caused by metal poisoning, so it is possibly the reason he is not responding to typical Parkinson treatments.
My revisions, while not fun, resolved all my issues except tremors and an elevated heart rate. I have managed these for over 10 years without a problem.
Finding a revision surgeon is another matter. I was ab P e to get a recommendation from a PT I trusted,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sueinmn
Thank you for your quick response! Who was your revision surgeon? I am so glad to hear you have solved your issues.
@sallysher Dr Cyril (Jay) Kruse at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Blaine, Minnesota. In addition to being a first-class surgeon, the best cortisone injection doc I ever met, and a really nice guy, he is an avid gardener and a Parrothead.
Hi,
I have had 2 MOM THR's one in 2007 and other in 2009. Had elevated cobalt and chromium. Had revision of 1 hip due to tissue damage around implant and pain in 2015. Cobalt and chromium levels have gone down but not completely as other MOM implant (Depuy) is still in my body. Have now had 2 different types of cancers, one is a very rare form of cancer (neuroendocrine tumor) Surgery to do revision of other hip not an option right now due to other serious medical issues Very little research on the impact of systemic cobalt, chromium Does anyone know toxicologist or someone who can address this. I believe cobalt & chromium are known carcinogens.
Dr. Robert Harrison at UCSF is a toxicologist (called occupational health) with a special expertise in these issues. He monitored my Cobalt level after my revision two years ago and was very supportive. +1 (415) 353-9681
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@stephanieann so how come no one has info on nickel. I am highly allergic to nickel yet that metal level isn't tested. How come? Pretty soon it will be full time in a wheelchair. I metal screws place as part of the THR procedure and believe nickel is to blame but as far as I know, they don't test the levels.
Does anyone have insights?