Hello, it is good that you had a revision to remove the metal on metal hip. How are you doing now? We're you able to get a new hip implanted?
I will repeat, the good news is that once the bad parts are gone, your body slowly excreted the metal. 13 months after my second division (I had two metal on metal hips) my serum chromium and cobalt levels fell below dangerous levels.
On the other hand, you will need to do your own detective work. Find out what implant you had (brand and serial # of each part) from the original surgeon or hospital, or from the doc who removed them. Do some searching for your components on Google to see if you are entitled to any compensation for the revision.If the parts were subject to a recall, were you notified? How did you find out about the metallosis?
Sue
Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
Thank you for helping me right now it's the waiting on ok for MRI I will go from there and I will definitely be asking those questions yours sounds like a horror story,glad you're doing good! Will keep you posted
Yep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
Yep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Michelle - Please ask to see a specialized rehabilitation therapist. The cookie cutter approach - these exercises this week, add these next week, etc - isn't for complex situations.
You need someone to evaluate muscle weakness/loss, your gait, assess your dislocation risk and adjust exercises accordingly. I did a combo of land and water therapy, including extensive gait training (to correct favoring one leg - it was causing back problems.) As soon as the incision healed, I had one pool day & one land day each week for six weeks, with homework in between. Then I went to once a week progress checks for six weeks, but continued my regimen for several months.
Sue
If you have a complicated hip implant situation then I suggest that you get a consult from Dr Gross in Columbia SC. You can send your med records and do a telehealth with him or he may just call you. (803) 256-4107 Grossortho.com
Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
What levels of Co and Chrom are you referring to as metallosis? I have been using Nor Acetyl Cysteine to bind these metals and it appears to have some positive effect. Here's one of the articles about it's use for this https://www.arthroplastytoday.org/article/S2352-3441(20)30060-1/fulltext
If you have a complicated hip implant contact Dr Gross in Columbia SC. I’m interested in how many of you had a total hip replacement vs resurfacing. Who did your original surgery. There is some controversy around the hip resurfacing issue but lots of issues come up with the THR too. I had both of my hips done by Dr Gross using the resurfacing method. No issues after 8 and 7 years out
This sounds like an (bad) instant replay of my story in 2012. I had metallosis, 2 revisions (both sides), massive cleanup of bad tissue, and then a dislocation. The surgeon explained that in the revision, they leave the cup in the acetabulum (pelvis) and put in a new non-metal liner. Then remove the metal head and replace it with either ceramic or titanium. Sometimes, if the original implants weren't perfectly aligned, they can't get a really good fit and have to go back in and use different parts or position them differently. After they did that for me, I have been fine.
It is possible that if your metallosis was severe, that your body is still dealing with getting rid of the metal ions in your blood. If there is still microscopic metal in your tissues, it will eventually be absorbed. If there are visible shavings, there will be more cleaning up to do during the revision. As far as I know, removal and time are the treatments for metallosis - there is no pill or therapy to do it.
You need to be your own advocate here and ask some hard questions. When you go in for your followup appointment after the MRI, do you have a friend or family member who can go with you and take thorough notes?
First, how familiar is your surgeon with complex revisions and metallosis? Not all are, and a good one will admit that.
Second, what is the exact revision plan? Not just "in general" but what do they see, and what do they plan as a remedy?
Third, if this is not their area of expertise, can they refer you to someone local who has more experience? Or a teaching hospital or university with a great ortho surgery department?
I'll be waiting to hear how things go for you. For now, you may need to focus on writing down all the questions that you want answered.
Sue
I had a hip replacement March 31, 2023 MOM I was in contact with you and you told me to have a blood test I had one at Quest Diagnostics and it came back .6 in the red and toxic tomorrow I am going to my medical doctor and getting a prescription for an MRI on my right hip that was the information I received from you and it seems correct now I need a revision surgeon to put a ceramic hip in can you steer me to the right doctor and right hospital for your records you posted a reply to me on 7/29/24 waiting to hear from you
I had a hip replacement March 31, 2023 MOM I was in contact with you and you told me to have a blood test I had one at Quest Diagnostics and it came back .6 in the red and toxic tomorrow I am going to my medical doctor and getting a prescription for an MRI on my right hip that was the information I received from you and it seems correct now I need a revision surgeon to put a ceramic hip in can you steer me to the right doctor and right hospital for your records you posted a reply to me on 7/29/24 waiting to hear from you
Where are you located? There are really good revision surgeons in most population centers. In my case (Twin Cities, MN) I asked my favorite PT and followed her recommendation.
Are you able to do the same?
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Thank you for your gracious reply.
I am learning to walk since my 3rd surgery on my left hip. I did receive a ceramic hip socket (acetabulum) and cemented pelvis revision with 5 self tapping screws from the damage the metal on metal implant I had back in 2007.
I am glad to hear my body will excrete this metal b/c it is concerning to me. I want my primary to take a blood test to see what my levels are now. That should happen at my next appointment. I did get the type of implant and brand and it was a recall and I was NEVER notified. I just was dealing with the pain. I found out through a blood test before this revision.
It has been a whirlwind of pain all year in so many different areas of my body.
Thanks again
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYep,I did and still do have metalossiss,he said he got as much as he could hoping my body will absorb , monitor this and back to therapy and hoping to build muscle back up and no more dislocation if so talking another revision!!
I had very high levels of chromium and cobalt (probably because I had 2 metal-on-metal implants for 5 years. The metal levels fell over a period of 12 months - I have not had them rechecked since they reached the "normal" range a year after surgery. It is amazing what the body can do to heal itself.
The therapy after revision was really tough, because the surgeon had to remove a great deal of damaged tissue.
Sue
Hoping therapy helps me, starting from square one again discourageing! If I dislocate again then he's talking another revision and I don't want that ! Just curious and you don't have to answer,did you ever talk to an attorney?
Michelle - Please ask to see a specialized rehabilitation therapist. The cookie cutter approach - these exercises this week, add these next week, etc - isn't for complex situations.
You need someone to evaluate muscle weakness/loss, your gait, assess your dislocation risk and adjust exercises accordingly. I did a combo of land and water therapy, including extensive gait training (to correct favoring one leg - it was causing back problems.) As soon as the incision healed, I had one pool day & one land day each week for six weeks, with homework in between. Then I went to once a week progress checks for six weeks, but continued my regimen for several months.
Sue
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsIf you have a complicated hip implant situation then I suggest that you get a consult from Dr Gross in Columbia SC. You can send your med records and do a telehealth with him or he may just call you. (803) 256-4107 Grossortho.com
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhat levels of Co and Chrom are you referring to as metallosis? I have been using Nor Acetyl Cysteine to bind these metals and it appears to have some positive effect. Here's one of the articles about it's use for this
https://www.arthroplastytoday.org/article/S2352-3441(20)30060-1/fulltext
2nd NAC chelation article 1200mg per day (2nd-NAC-chelation-article-1200mg-per-day.pdf)
If you have a complicated hip implant contact Dr Gross in Columbia SC. I’m interested in how many of you had a total hip replacement vs resurfacing. Who did your original surgery. There is some controversy around the hip resurfacing issue but lots of issues come up with the THR too. I had both of my hips done by Dr Gross using the resurfacing method. No issues after 8 and 7 years out
I had a hip replacement March 31, 2023 MOM I was in contact with you and you told me to have a blood test I had one at Quest Diagnostics and it came back .6 in the red and toxic tomorrow I am going to my medical doctor and getting a prescription for an MRI on my right hip that was the information I received from you and it seems correct now I need a revision surgeon to put a ceramic hip in can you steer me to the right doctor and right hospital for your records you posted a reply to me on 7/29/24 waiting to hear from you
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhere are you located? There are really good revision surgeons in most population centers. In my case (Twin Cities, MN) I asked my favorite PT and followed her recommendation.
Are you able to do the same?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction