Some of the more common problems include implant failure and metallosis, including cobalt toxicity. While most patients who choose hip replacement surgery are over the age of 50, the promise of longer lasting replacement hips proved attractive to younger patients as well. Hip implants are supposed to last up to 15-20 years. Metal-on-metal hip replacement systems, like the recalled DePuy ASR hip, Depuy Pinnacle hip, Biomet M2A-Magnum hip, Wright Conserve hip and others, have been linked to a risk of metal poisoning or metallosis from particles of cobalt and chromium that are released into the blood as the metal components rub against each other. Johnson and Johnson, the parent company of DePuy Orthopedics, agreed to settle some 8,000 lawsuits for an estimated $2.5 billion. This can take months to achieve. Discussion: This is a case of fatal cobalt-induced cardiomyopathy in a patient whose ceramic components of a total hip arthroplasty fractured causing metallosis with worsening cobalt toxicity. Hip joints naturally involve considerable friction, and this friction can cause components to wear and eventually break. Enjuris' Student Center is a resource for all pre-law college students and current law students. Cobalt and chromium poisoning is one of the most devastating health complications associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements. | Last updated November 30, 2018. If your goal is to help people after an accident or injury – or to prevent them in the first place – we'd love to hear from you! The other danger for cobalt poisoning is that it could mimic other conditions. We support students, families, caregivers and communities with resources, personal stories and a national directory of injury lawyers. Microsoft Edge. After revision surgeries, the patients’ symptoms improved. High failure rates, serious side effects from metal debris in the body, and complications such as cobalt toxicity have prompted recalls, lawsuits, and government action. The result can be a build-up of metal debris in nearby tissue and in the bloodstream. At 66 or more come blindness, seizures, tremors, heart failure, depression and weakness, among other symptoms. It’s one thing to have a surgery for a painful condition and still experience pain afterward, despite the corrected condition. Implants were ASR total hip replacement (acetabular implant, taper sleeve adaptor and unipolar femoral implants) performed between 2005 and 2009. This went on for a couple of years. These metal flakes can also travel to nearby organs such as the heart, leading to further complications. (800) 637-7024 Specialty: Personal injury, Lawyer Directory Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location. Sometimes a device can fracture, opening up internal metal parts that hadn’t been exposed to the body before. At 23, the patient could possibly also have mental problems, vertigo or deafness. A 2017 study in BMC Psychiatry looked at ten cases of metal-on-metal hip replacements. Additionally, smokers are at a higher risk for developing this condition. Williams & Brown (Waco, Texas) Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet Sometimes the entire unit (a “monoblock”) was made out of metal, ranging from materials like titanium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, iron or molybdenum. They determined there was not enough evidence to support the fact that these implants were safe to use. Therefore, just because a patient with a metal on metal hip implant has normal ERG results does not mean he or she does not have cobalt poisoning, especially when other symptoms are present. Many turn to hip replacement surgery as a solution. Are you a legal professional? Patients can experience pain around the hip joint, swelling and inflammation, numbness, bone loss, tissue death, and renewed mobility problems. Additionally, the FDA is doing the following (this is not an exhaustive list): If you are experiencing pain at your surgical site or any of the above symptoms regarding metallosis after a hip replacement surgery, first speak with your doctor. Wilder Pantazis Law Group (Charlotte, North Carolina) WPMH Legal (Macon, Georgia) Internet Explorer 11 is no longer supported. Copyright © 2021, Thomson Reuters. What if, after a little while, you notice that the surgical site is swollen, that movement hurts, that something feels wrong deep inside? Workers compensation attorneys, Tampa Personal Injury Attorneys Learn how to get ahead in your studies and the career field, as well be a guest contributor to our blog and apply for one of our scholarships. Not necessarily. It may cause nausea and vomiting. Then there is the risk of hip surgery complications. Failing metal hip replacements can also lead to metallosis. In the worst cases of cobalt poisoning, a patient may suffer permanent, disabling side effects, including cardiomyopathy (degenerative heart disease), blindness, deafness, memory loss, and more. As of 2016, they required any manufacturer to get premarket approval for specific metal-on-metal devices. However, after that, you should call an attorney. Cobalt poisoning is a severe side effect of a metal-on-metal hip replacement can cause severe tissue damage, bone death, pain, and other severe symptoms. What is metallosis? While rare, something called “metallosis” can occur if you were implanted with a metal-on-metal hip replacement device. Cobalt Chromium Metal Poisoning from Hip Replacements Cobalt chromium poisoning is a risk for anyone with a metal on metal (MoM) hip replacement. When the metal parts rub against each other, they release microscopic metal particles into the blood and surroun… Check out the Enjuris law firm directory to find a legal match. What if the hip implant you so desperately needed actually does you harm? Swallowing a large amount of absorbable cobalt at one time is very rare and is likely not very dangerous. There are over 28 different known isotopes for cobalt including some that are radioactive. Metallosis is a condition in which debris from metallic implants shed from the device. Other symptoms to look out for include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), deafness, poor coordination, depression, heart failure, and hypothyroidism. In addition, thousands of patients have filed product liability lawsuits against the manufacturers seeking compensation for their injuries. Gerber & Holder Law (Atlanta, Georgia) The resulting boom in hip replacement surgery has made it one of the most common surgical procedures out there. Two years after the hip implantation, the patients in the study experienced even more symptoms of cobaltism, which can include irritability, fatigue, tinnitus, hearing loss, headaches, loss of coordination, cognitive decline, and depression. Finderson Law (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Sometimes, metal particles (cobalt) are released as the metal ball grinds against the metal cup when you walk. Metallosis can occur in other hip surgeries, too. You have to get diagnosed, receive a prognosis, schedule pre-surgery checkups, plan for your time away from work and make sure all is well for you to take a break from life, all before you even actually get the surgery. Manufacturers first designed metal hip replacements to improve upon plastic and ceramic hip replacements. Metallosis has similar symptoms to cobalt poisoning, and cobalt poisoning can stem from a faulty hip implant. Lorenzo & Lorenzo (Tampa, Florida) Cobalt poisoning is a common problem in patients with artificial hips. The Data on Cobalt Poisoning and Neuropsychiatric Complications. The hip joint necessarily involves significant friction between the femoral head and the acetabulum. In addition to the neurological concerns that cobalt poisoning poses, when combined with chromium, the cobalt ions can contribute to loss of appetite, weight loss, and low energy. Patients whose hip joints become diseased (especially by osteoarthritis) or damaged (especially from strenuous physical activity) can develop hip pain and mobility problems. The friction releases tiny metal particles into your bloodstream that could trigger a hypersensitive immune response in your body. Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Some patients have also reported heart failure, loss of vision, loss of hearing, and organ damage. Law firm SEO quote Wrongful death attorneys Over the past decade, cobalt-chromium Metal-on-Metal Hip Arthroplasty (MoMHA) has been performed with increasing frequency throughout the United States, particularly in active and younger patients. Personal Injury Law Firms Directory Effects of cobalt on the thyroid can cause fatigue, weight gain, and other thyroid dysfunctional symptoms. Metal-on-metal implants are notorious for the problems they create and have been the subject of numerous product recalls. Just because a device has been recalled doesn’t mean you need to worry. During a recent review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of 112,095 database, 35% However many may face a side effect know as metallosis from the hip replacement or a similar side effect called cobalt poisoning. Others had ceramic or plastic heads paired with metal stems. Personal injury attorneys Car accident attorneys Follow up with your surgeon on at least an annual basis. Get in touch to see how we can work together. Some manufacturers have already agreed to settle these hip replacement lawsuits. Should you have it changed out? Even if you’re experiencing pain from your hip replacement implant, it does not always mean you are suffering from metallosis. All rights reserved. 127 ADD YOUR COMMENTS ANSWER. We present a 71-year-old male with grinding sensations in his right hip following ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA). Metallosis is a type of metal poisoning that can occur as a side effect of joint replacement devices with metal components, such as metal-on-metal hip implants or some knee implants. Besides the symptoms associated with other forms of metallosis, cobalt toxicity can cause patients to suffer from fever, inflammation, and low thyroid levels. Even if you haven't experienced symptoms of illness, you may be eligible for a new replacement in addition to other damages if you qualify. Medical malpractice attorneys Three different case studies of cobalt toxicity after hip replacement surgery were presented within 10 days of each other in early 2014. Some case reports have also shown patients with MoM implants could develop symptoms or illnesses elsewhere in the body, including: ... Cobalt poisoning symptoms. If you've suffered from illnesses related to an artificial hip replacement, you may be eligible for monetary compensation, either by joining a settlement or filing a new products liability lawsuit. Download in PDF format. Return to the main hip surgery lawsuits guide, Representing injured victims in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis Google Chrome, However, the smooth nature of metal-on-metal implants causes a high friction rate whenever the patient moves. Not every metal hip device causes problems. And when those moving parts move, they can shred, releasing into the bloodstream two elements that can cause metallosis. The FDA actually published a notification regarding metal-on-metal implants because they received so many consumer complaints. Oh, blood poisoning from the shedding of metal particles like cobalt or titanium that build up in soft tissues in your body. Cobalt-containing hip prosthesis may cause systemic toxicity due to the release of cobalt from metal-on-metal (MoM) joint arthroplasty into the bloodstream. Staying healthy should be your primary concern. He had a terrible time. Directory guidelines Most manufacturers no longer sell metal hip replacements. Download in PDF format. Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski (Phoenix, Arizona) A good, close friend had hip replacement a few years back. Murphy Law Firm (Great Falls, Montana) At first thought to be sturdier and more durable, it was discovered – after lengthy trial and error – that these implants can cause many more problems than bargained for. Visit our professional site », Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors Terms of Use, SEO Advantage®, Inc.    SEOLegal Division, Lawyer Marketing    3690 West Gandy Blvd., Suite 444    Tampa, FL 33611    Contact us today. Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case Introduction . Free personal injury guides for download to print or save. It’s a pain enough (literally and figuratively) to get a hip replacement. The email address cannot be subscribed. The devise dislocated at will several times and he developed cobalt poisoning. Your surgeon might decide that corrective surgery is the only way to truly fix your metal poisoning. Remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Cobalt levels are determined by micrograms per liter of blood. The remarkable nature of these case studies is that “hip pain was not a prominent feature,” Dr. Bunning says. These particles build up in soft tissue and leak into the bloodstream, which can ultimately lead to metal poisoning. See metallosis symptoms, treatments and what you should do if you’ve had hip surgery and suspect you have metallosis. The patient’s symptoms included fatigue, rashes, spasms of the left thigh and gluteal muscles with standing and progressive hip pain, “but he wasn’t thinking, ‘My hip is poisoning the rest of me,’” Dr. Bunning explained. Removal of the implant is the only sure method of curing the condition. This case illustrates the potential for systemic cobalt toxicity in non-metal-on-metal bearings and its potentially devastating consequences. Firefox, or June 8, 2018 – San Diego, CA. If you are suffering from increased pain, skin rashes, breathlessness, brain fog, poor memory, vertigo or hearing loss, you should speak with your doctor immediately. Chromium poisoning alone has also been associated with skin inflammation, renal failure, cardiovascular issues, … The eff e cts of the cobalt alloy hips were life-altering for Frances. Many Americans have nickel allergies, and that is a common building part for hip replacements. Many of the metal versions only lasted a few years because they led to significant health issues, such as: If these are happening to you, your surgeon will likely make a metallosis diagnosis and recommend a revision surgery. This type of implant is an artificial hip socket that is created by fitting a metal ball into a metal cup. Please try again. Symptoms of metal poisoning are hard to miss. Even if your hip replacement is only partially metal, you can still get metal poisoning. We look to work with educators, healthcare and recovery organizations, insurance providers, law firms and other organizations. Patients with metal hip replacements have had to replace their hip implants at a higher than expected rates. Today in the United States, doctors perform an estimated 285,000 hip replacement surgeries each year. Cobalt Poisoning: DePuy ASR Hip Implants Are a Serious Risk. A whole blood cobalt level obtained two days before she expired was 641.6 mcg/L. The tragedy, however, is that patients with extreme cases of cobalt toxicity may have injuries that are too severe to be reversed. Find out what your legal options might be and when to reach out to a lawyer. Unfortunately, her story is one lived by the many who cope with neurological issues as a result of cobalt toxicity. Scholle Law (Duluth, Georgia). In most cases, a failing hip replacement needs to be surgically replaced. Unfortunately, cobalt and chromium are both commonly used in the manufacture of moving parts of hip replacement devices. Contact a qualified product liability attorney to make sure your rights are protected. When metal grinds on metal, metal "flakes" can rub off the hip replacement implant and seep into a patient's body. The worry is that the metal-on-metal contacts in the hip replacements grind off tiny metal molecules -- chromium and cobalt ions -- that might be toxic. Additionally, the procedure doesn’t need to be a total hip replacement for it to occur. How Cobalt and Chromium Poisoning from a Hip Replacement Can Impact Your Health If you are the recipient of a metal-on-metal hip implant, you may have been exposed to cobalt and chromium metals accumulating in your body. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life, Name Your doctor will perform a blood test to confirm whether you do indeed have metallosis. Discuss your options with an experienced product liability attorney today. It happens when there’s friction between metal surfaces. You should not go under the knife unless you absolutely need to. Some devices are ceramic-on-metal, which has significantly lowered the prevalence of this condition, but still presents with some cases. Besides the symptoms associated with other forms of metallosis, cobalt toxicity can cause patients to suffer from fever, inflammation, and low thyroid levels. By Jane Mundy: Palm Springs, CA Robert’s hip replacement has … Defective product attorneys Services for attorneys Next article: Hip replacement recalls and symptoms In a study of hip resurfacing patients, 18% were experiencing groin pain, but only 2%-5% received a diagnosis of metallosis. These devices are Class III (higher-risk). Widespread patient injuries led to increased regulatory focus, numerous medical studies, and negative publicity. If you ’ re experiencing pain from your hip replacement surgery is a common building for! Corrected condition studies of cobalt poisoning misdiagnosed as Alzheimer 's need to.! 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