Cynthia - It sounds like you are in good hands. After all the recalled hips between 2009 and 2013, there are a number of orthopedists who now specialize in complex hip revision surgeries. I hope that is who you have found!
To anyone else suffering a hip implant that doesn't "feel right" please listen to @psg25 - the complications of metal poisoning from these protheses is real, and can be life-altering. When my failing implant was removed, my thigh muscle was described by the surgeon as "looking like oatmeal" and it took a lot of time to recover.
Sue
Hi folks. I had a hip revision in 2014 due to my Stryker hip being recalled. The metal in the middle section of the hip stated to deteriorate and the metal flaked off into my blood giving me blood poisoning, plus it was infected. I told my physician something was wrong with the hip for at least three years prior to him getting a recall notice from Stryker. I'm lucky it didn't kill me in all the time he ignored my complaints. The metal and surrounding tissue turned black. They managed to replace my entire hip without breaking my femur. I also joined a class action lawsuit and received a settlement in 2015. If anyone is in need of a revision due to the same reasons, I would check with a lawyer to see if you can still receive a settlement from the manufacturer. Stryker recalled these hips and paid out over a billion dollars to those affected. If you are just now having problems, I don't know that a statue of limitations would apply for damages if you weren't previously having problems. If your hip was recalled and you weren't notified you might still have some legal recourse. But I'm not a lawyer so I don't know for sure. If your hip is a Stryker you could check with the manufacturer. Also I think somewhere in this site there might be a list of recalled artificial joints. You might want to see if your hip (or Knee) is on that list. If you don't know the manufacturer, your surgeon or hospital should be able to give you an actual manufacturer and serial # for any parts you had implanted. You should get and keep a list of these parts in your medical history. If anyone has any questions or needs more info, just let me know. Stay safe.
My husband's was a Wright Hip Implant and every lawyer he has talked to has said the statute of limitations means no legal recourse. Bummer. His implant was in 2007 I think.... and he had the revision this past March.
Hello @bcs123456 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and this discussion. I can see you feel hopeful after having read the post by @sueinmn about her 10-year post surgery update. It sounds like you have had quite a journey but are also really looking forward to a new hip, which is a great attitude.
What are you most curious about or in need of in terms of support from members?
I really appreciate this site. As I commented previously, any and all info about hip prosthesis revision surgery is appreciated and strongly desired. My infection was discovered 4 years after my original surgery, but it seems clear it was infected shortly after the original surgery. It sounds bizarre in retrospect, but I had numerous episodes of fever and night sweats, pneumonia and extreme pain alternating with periods where the hip felt really good! Anyway, I am currently faced with a dislocated spacer while on antibiotics but trying to be positive and find hope I could get a second hip and do well. Currently contemplating if second surgery a success, what are my legitimate expectations? I am 63 yo and love to golf and swim and walk with my wife. Anyone with any info would be great. Thanks.
I really appreciate this site. As I commented previously, any and all info about hip prosthesis revision surgery is appreciated and strongly desired. My infection was discovered 4 years after my original surgery, but it seems clear it was infected shortly after the original surgery. It sounds bizarre in retrospect, but I had numerous episodes of fever and night sweats, pneumonia and extreme pain alternating with periods where the hip felt really good! Anyway, I am currently faced with a dislocated spacer while on antibiotics but trying to be positive and find hope I could get a second hip and do well. Currently contemplating if second surgery a success, what are my legitimate expectations? I am 63 yo and love to golf and swim and walk with my wife. Anyone with any info would be great. Thanks.
Attitude can be huge when facing a challenge like yours. I do hope they can replace your spacer - some wonderful adaptations are being made now that so many of us are living with implants at a relatively early age. My "new" hips are about to celebrate their 11th birthdays, and I can do just about anything reasonable. With my grandson, I discovered this winter that I can still climb steep snow piles and slide down, and even climb trees. Twisting motions (eg golf swing) are still a stretch for me, and at my doctor's request I quit playing volleyball due to repeated jumping, but I can walk, run, dance, garden. Now my knees are beginning to announce their age when I overdo, but nothing I cannot tolerate.
Good luck, and I hope they find a solution for you. Remember, after surgery, thorough PT with gait training is crucial to fullest recovery.
Sue
Thanks lady! You had a revision to one of your hips first prosthesis? I will miss golf but could do an arm only swing if necessary. I will do my best with rehab. I am living with the dislocated spacer as I have no confidence it won’t come out again if fixed. Thre is no acetabular cup with the temporary spacer. However, I am anxious for the new hip to be put in. My best to you and thanks.
My husband's was a Wright Hip Implant and every lawyer he has talked to has said the statute of limitations means no legal recourse. Bummer. His implant was in 2007 I think.... and he had the revision this past March.
Sorry to hear about the statue of limitations running out on your husband's hip. That's why I said I wasn't sure what the legal ramifications were. I didn't see WHY your husband had his hip replaced. Was it RECALLED due to an manufacturing defect or did he have a reaction to the metals over time?? I believe that is called a "Delayed Hypersensitivity to Metals." A "Delayed Hypersensitivity" would probably not be an issue you could sue over. If it was RECALLED, when were you or weren't you notified? And then if you were notified, how long after his original surgery? Seems to me if the hip had problems with its manufacturing they should still stand behind it. Although, if he originally received it in 2007 and he started having problems last year, that would be about 14 years, falling close to the low end of the specified life span of an artificial hip. My first knee replacement only lasted 15 years before I had a second replacement.
I had my original hip implanted in 2009 and it was RECALLED in 2012. I actually complained to my physician long before 2012 that something wasn't right. I finally had it replaced in 2014. My doctor actually made me wait until my poison levels reached HIS desired levels before he would finally replace it. I actually had to fight it out with him. I told him the levels were high enough for me and to get it out of my leg. I guess he was following some established revision guidelines from the manufacturer but him making me wait was just ridiculous and almost killed me. Had I had a better understanding of what was happening to me at the time, I should have sought out a new physician and had the revision done earlier. I did have about 6 months worth of trouble with my IT band after the revision. After that, fortunately everything worked out and I haven't had any additional problems with my hip. My challenge now is an unresolved, severely painful, knee replacement, 21 month outs. I cannot find a physician who wants to play detective with me to figure out the problem. Seems like its always something with these artificial joints . . .
Thanks lady! You had a revision to one of your hips first prosthesis? I will miss golf but could do an arm only swing if necessary. I will do my best with rehab. I am living with the dislocated spacer as I have no confidence it won’t come out again if fixed. Thre is no acetabular cup with the temporary spacer. However, I am anxious for the new hip to be put in. My best to you and thanks.
Actually both prostheses have been replaced, one of them twice. The first round of rebuilds was a recall due to metal poisoning. The last tweak was to put in a bigger ball because the darn thing dislocated- sitting in a chair! Now they're great. Just dod 9 hours of gardening and mowing today.
Sue
Still trying to figure out which route is best. Total revision or attaching a prosthesis.
My hip resurfacing was in 2006. The metals have entered my femur and it is at risk for fracture.
I am having a revision soon and have read about failures as part of my “due diligence”.
What are you considering, things like the obvious where do I go from here?
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Cynthia - It sounds like you are in good hands. After all the recalled hips between 2009 and 2013, there are a number of orthopedists who now specialize in complex hip revision surgeries. I hope that is who you have found!
To anyone else suffering a hip implant that doesn't "feel right" please listen to @psg25 - the complications of metal poisoning from these protheses is real, and can be life-altering. When my failing implant was removed, my thigh muscle was described by the surgeon as "looking like oatmeal" and it took a lot of time to recover.
Sue
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2 ReactionsMy husband's was a Wright Hip Implant and every lawyer he has talked to has said the statute of limitations means no legal recourse. Bummer. His implant was in 2007 I think.... and he had the revision this past March.
I really appreciate this site. As I commented previously, any and all info about hip prosthesis revision surgery is appreciated and strongly desired. My infection was discovered 4 years after my original surgery, but it seems clear it was infected shortly after the original surgery. It sounds bizarre in retrospect, but I had numerous episodes of fever and night sweats, pneumonia and extreme pain alternating with periods where the hip felt really good! Anyway, I am currently faced with a dislocated spacer while on antibiotics but trying to be positive and find hope I could get a second hip and do well. Currently contemplating if second surgery a success, what are my legitimate expectations? I am 63 yo and love to golf and swim and walk with my wife. Anyone with any info would be great. Thanks.
Please see my comment below. How are you doing?
Attitude can be huge when facing a challenge like yours. I do hope they can replace your spacer - some wonderful adaptations are being made now that so many of us are living with implants at a relatively early age. My "new" hips are about to celebrate their 11th birthdays, and I can do just about anything reasonable. With my grandson, I discovered this winter that I can still climb steep snow piles and slide down, and even climb trees. Twisting motions (eg golf swing) are still a stretch for me, and at my doctor's request I quit playing volleyball due to repeated jumping, but I can walk, run, dance, garden. Now my knees are beginning to announce their age when I overdo, but nothing I cannot tolerate.
Good luck, and I hope they find a solution for you. Remember, after surgery, thorough PT with gait training is crucial to fullest recovery.
Sue
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks lady! You had a revision to one of your hips first prosthesis? I will miss golf but could do an arm only swing if necessary. I will do my best with rehab. I am living with the dislocated spacer as I have no confidence it won’t come out again if fixed. Thre is no acetabular cup with the temporary spacer. However, I am anxious for the new hip to be put in. My best to you and thanks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSorry to hear about the statue of limitations running out on your husband's hip. That's why I said I wasn't sure what the legal ramifications were. I didn't see WHY your husband had his hip replaced. Was it RECALLED due to an manufacturing defect or did he have a reaction to the metals over time?? I believe that is called a "Delayed Hypersensitivity to Metals." A "Delayed Hypersensitivity" would probably not be an issue you could sue over. If it was RECALLED, when were you or weren't you notified? And then if you were notified, how long after his original surgery? Seems to me if the hip had problems with its manufacturing they should still stand behind it. Although, if he originally received it in 2007 and he started having problems last year, that would be about 14 years, falling close to the low end of the specified life span of an artificial hip. My first knee replacement only lasted 15 years before I had a second replacement.
I had my original hip implanted in 2009 and it was RECALLED in 2012. I actually complained to my physician long before 2012 that something wasn't right. I finally had it replaced in 2014. My doctor actually made me wait until my poison levels reached HIS desired levels before he would finally replace it. I actually had to fight it out with him. I told him the levels were high enough for me and to get it out of my leg. I guess he was following some established revision guidelines from the manufacturer but him making me wait was just ridiculous and almost killed me. Had I had a better understanding of what was happening to me at the time, I should have sought out a new physician and had the revision done earlier. I did have about 6 months worth of trouble with my IT band after the revision. After that, fortunately everything worked out and I haven't had any additional problems with my hip. My challenge now is an unresolved, severely painful, knee replacement, 21 month outs. I cannot find a physician who wants to play detective with me to figure out the problem. Seems like its always something with these artificial joints . . .
Actually both prostheses have been replaced, one of them twice. The first round of rebuilds was a recall due to metal poisoning. The last tweak was to put in a bigger ball because the darn thing dislocated- sitting in a chair! Now they're great. Just dod 9 hours of gardening and mowing today.
Sue
Still trying to figure out which route is best. Total revision or attaching a prosthesis.
My hip resurfacing was in 2006. The metals have entered my femur and it is at risk for fracture.
I am having a revision soon and have read about failures as part of my “due diligence”.
What are you considering, things like the obvious where do I go from here?