Here is what I experienced. In 2006, I had 2 hip implants of a new and supposedly longer,lasting type, recommended because I was young and they were supposed to last a lot longer. They were all metal, with the ball and liner made of a chromium and cobalt alloy, shaft usually titanium, acetabular cup another metal - supposed to be stronger. Typical implants had a metal shaft and cup, with a head of metal or ceramic, and a liner of some kind of plastic.

Unfortunately, for many people, if head (ball) and cup were not perfectly sized and aligned, the two wear between the parts caused metal shavings to be deposited in surrounding tissue, leading to heavy metal poisoning, tissue breakdown, and sometimes rejection.

They were marketed in the US and Europe by DePuy, Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, maybe others from the late 1990's to about 2008.

My cousin & I both had these implants in 2006, hers was problematic immediately and she has been living without a joint since 2009. Mine were replaced in 2011, and it took me over 2 years to get my thyroid, metallosis and tissue damage resolved, I still have heart rate issues today.

The implants are now off the market, but I have learned to ask more questions!
Sue