1. < Joint Replacements

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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cynthiaarment | @cynthiaarment | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @7797 "who is your surgeon? I'd like to see him" + (show)
@7797

who is your surgeon? I'd like to see him

Jump to this post

Dr Sean Dingle
Kennedy White Orthopedic
Sarasota fl

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @sickofbeinsick1 "Not so much a reply as a realization….I DO have mettallosis. Now I just wonder…”What Now”?..." + (show)
@sickofbeinsick1

Not so much a reply as a realization….I DO have mettallosis. Now I just wonder…”What Now”?
My mental state is declining rapidly…I guess it doesn’t just stop or go away with the rev. I guess I thought that would be the case…I guess I’ve had it too long so the “damage” is permanent. I guess at this point, I just hope it doesn’t progress….unless there are Dr.s that can help heal the damage done…I don’t know any…Any suggestions welcome.

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@sickofbeinsick1 Don't give up. You may want to consult a practitioner in environmental medicine. There are treatments for problems with reactions to surgical implants. You can find information at this link to a practice in Texas. This is their page about implant services. https://www.ehcd.com/implant-services

Other doctors in this field can be found in the provider search at https://www.aaemonline.org/

Remember that you have to be your own advocate for your health, and if you are not finding help with your current providers, getting another opinion with a specialist can help. This is a complicated problem when you have a necessary joint replacement and it affects your health. I don't have experience with this type of treatment, but because I was a patient in need of spine surgery and concerned about metal reactions, my environmental medicine doctor told me about this.

Have you talked to a counselor to help your mental state and to help navigate what choices you may have regarding your health?

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1 reply
michele111 | @michele111 | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @cynthiaarment "I had my metal on metal hip resurfacing done in 2006. It allowed me to be..." + (show)
@cynthiaarment

I had my metal on metal hip resurfacing done in 2006. It allowed me to be super active- ski, competitive tennis etc. my metal levels stayed in the low range and had it monitored every year. This year they discovered a huge cyst and the metal on metal destroyed my bone.
My “new hip” was put in two weeks ago. I am walking without a cane indoors, and feeling pretty good. I was mad, and so disappointed I had to go through it again because of failure. That hip served me well for many years. I don’t think I will be able to do the activities I have done in the past but coming to terms with that.
I had a “great” surgeon and very thankful for that. I have yet to take a pain pill and laughed when he told me I would not have much pain.
I know what you are going through.

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I do not think my device is metal-on-metal, but it has dislocated twice in the last week. I have an appointment with a doctor to discuss hip revision surgery, but it's not until the end of March. I don't know if I can handle the pain or remain stationary for that long.

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2 replies
michele111 | @michele111 | Feb 12, 2022

I did visit the emergency room and had an x ray done. They said the hip is "in line" but the pain seems to have worsened since then, especially when I walk.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @michele111 "I do not think my device is metal-on-metal, but it has dislocated twice in the last..." + (show)
@michele111

I do not think my device is metal-on-metal, but it has dislocated twice in the last week. I have an appointment with a doctor to discuss hip revision surgery, but it's not until the end of March. I don't know if I can handle the pain or remain stationary for that long.

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Please don't wait and tolerate the pain for two months. A repeatedly dislocating hip has a problem, and needs to be dealt with sooner than later. Press for an earlier appointment. Even if you need to wait for surgery, there are braces that can be used to immobilize the joint temporarily.
Sue

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michele111 | @michele111 | Feb 12, 2022

Thank you. My daughters are saying the same thing. I plan on going to a walk-in clinic on Monday, and hopefully they will guide me to some relief. I keep hoping it will heal itself, but i'm afraid it's beyond that

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7797 | @7797 | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @cynthiaarment "Dr Sean Dingle Kennedy White Orthopedic Sarasota fl" + (show)
@cynthiaarment

Dr Sean Dingle
Kennedy White Orthopedic
Sarasota fl

Jump to this post

thanks

REPLY
cynthiaarment | @cynthiaarment | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @michele111 "I do not think my device is metal-on-metal, but it has dislocated twice in the last..." + (show)
@michele111

I do not think my device is metal-on-metal, but it has dislocated twice in the last week. I have an appointment with a doctor to discuss hip revision surgery, but it's not until the end of March. I don't know if I can handle the pain or remain stationary for that long.

Jump to this post

Cameron Ledford at Mayo in Jacksonville is amazing also. Call them. No reason to be in this much pain.

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1 reply
michele111 | @michele111 | Feb 12, 2022
In reply to @cynthiaarment "Cameron Ledford at Mayo in Jacksonville is amazing also. Call them. No reason to be in..." + (show)
@cynthiaarment

Cameron Ledford at Mayo in Jacksonville is amazing also. Call them. No reason to be in this much pain.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I will call them. I live in Pennsylvania, but it would be
worth the trip to get relief

REPLY
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@sickofbeinsick1 Don't give up. You may want to consult a practitioner in environmental medicine. There are..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@sickofbeinsick1 Don't give up. You may want to consult a practitioner in environmental medicine. There are treatments for problems with reactions to surgical implants. You can find information at this link to a practice in Texas. This is their page about implant services. https://www.ehcd.com/implant-services

Other doctors in this field can be found in the provider search at https://www.aaemonline.org/

Remember that you have to be your own advocate for your health, and if you are not finding help with your current providers, getting another opinion with a specialist can help. This is a complicated problem when you have a necessary joint replacement and it affects your health. I don't have experience with this type of treatment, but because I was a patient in need of spine surgery and concerned about metal reactions, my environmental medicine doctor told me about this.

Have you talked to a counselor to help your mental state and to help navigate what choices you may have regarding your health?

Jump to this post

I have talked to MANY counselors….I thought I was just depressed. I actually replied to your text yesterday, I guess I didn’t send it…so 🤷‍♀️
Searched in past for “toxicologist” to no avail. So I appreciate this info.
If I can remember to use it.
Thank, you

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