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Symptoms of cobalt poisoning?

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Oct 18, 2022 | Replies (11)

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@sueinmn

I don't know if this would be helpful, as many of these people are no longer here, but...
When I was diagnosed with metallosis, the Ortho told me it was OK to wait 5 more months for surgery, and I foolishly believed him. Fast forward 4 months - I was losing hair and weight rapidly, had fatigue & a really bad tremor, rapid heartbeat. He still thought surgery would fix it all. While in the hospital the night of surgery, I became very ill, high fever, high heart rate. The hospitalist, a member of our network, recognized an impending "thyroid storm" started treatment (don't know the meds) and referred me to the others. They were all part of my clinical network, and my primary coordinated my care.

Fired the surgeon & switched to a new, recommended one (outside my network) who also coordinated with my primary. He did my aftercare, 2 more surgeries & referred me to the best rehab PT group I ever had, who also coordinated with my primary.

All of these docs were on the same, compatible clinical network, so moving docs back & forth was easily done - no carrying records back & forth.
We are fortunate, in some ways, in Minnesota to have highly integrated large clinical networks where specialists can communicate easily if they choose to do so. I was beyond fortunate to have a team who did.
Sue

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Replies to "I don't know if this would be helpful, as many of these people are no longer..."

Good for you. Same here in Wisconsin, although you have to find a hospital system working closely with the Medical College. That's Froedert. They have everything a patient could need in one place, including integrated messaging between patients and doctors, nurses, PAs, radiologists, and specialists. When my knees were replaced, all my prior procedures and medications, gets were available to all involved.

Joe

This is very helpful. I’m sorry all that happened to you. What metals and what were your levels and how long was it since your initial surgery?

My implant wasn’t recalled as far as I have found. My issue seems to be stem/ball, not ball/cup. I’m still getting tests done to try to understand what is going on. One doc says it is a rare complication.