Pope McGlamry's Hip Attorneys have been dealing with Metal on Metal Defective Hips for years. In the fallout of many of these recalls, patients are scrambling to take next steps. We see them trying to fight to get proper medical treatment and legal help, while still suffering from continued pain and additional medical expenses. These patients, and their families, have to deal with the anxiety, distress, concern & worry accompanied by the dangers and health risks of their implant. The reality of potentially having to face a revision surgery can be devastating, especially for older patients.
Metal Toxicity Impact
One of the primary side effects and complications associated with Metal-on-Metal (“MoM”) hip implants is metal toxicity, which is caused by an implant’s design.
How does metal toxicity occur?
When motion or movement causes the shallow metal cup to strike the side of the metal “ball” portion of a ball-and-socket device, pieces of metal shed and flake off into the body’s bloodstream. Over time, these metal shavings and flakes, comprised of chromium and cobalt, can cause an array of problems in patients, including pain, inflammation, tissue damage and blood poisoning as metal ions enter the bloodstream.
Do I need to get tested if I have a Metal on Metal Hip?
Because of the serious health risk posed by these metal ions, most physicians recommend that Metal on Metal hip implant recipients have blood tests to measure the levels of metal ions in their body. The chromium and cobalt reading serves as a good diagnostic tool to determine whether a MoM hip implant is failing. Your physician will likely also perform diagnostics to identify physical symptoms, x-rays, and other medical tests.
How does elevated cobalt & chromium in the blood impact my health?
Recent medical findings have concluded that patients with elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in their blood are at risk for impaired bone health.
High levels of these metal ions in the bloodstream reduce the number of osteoblast-like cells and essentially impair the body’s ability to normally regenerate and maintain healthy bone. This means that patients with elevated levels of chromium and cobalt must consider removal of the device, even if an x-ray shows a MoM hip implant with proper positioning and no concrete evidence of loosening.
MoM Hips Are No Longer The Top Choice
Although MoM hip implant devices were once viewed as an optimal choice implant, especially for younger patients leading a more active lifestyle, many medical researchers and physicians have concluded that MoM hip implants are not as safe and effective as once believed. MoM hip implants are now only considered in certain instances, not as a first or premium choice.
