Metal Hip Replacement Poisoning Lawsuit
What are Symptoms of Metallosis or Hip Replacement Metal Toxicity from Cobalt, Chromium in the Blood?
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.
The metal ions may lead to a reaction around the joint, cause deterioration of the tissue, loosen the artificial hip and result in other serious complications. In addition, as the metal enters the blood stream, it may cause a number of other health problems, potentially impacting the nervous system, heart and thyroid glands.
Some common symptoms of hip replacement metal poisoning may include:
- Hip or Groin Pain
- Difficulty Walking or Standing
- Inflammation or Swelling
- Loosening or Failure of the Metal Hip Replacement
- Development of Tumors
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who are pursuing financial compensation through a metal hip replacement poisoning lawsuit after experiencing problems caused by the defective and dangerous design of the all-metal artificial hip systems. To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
HIP REPLACEMENT METALLOSIS FROM METAL IN BLOOD
Design problems with metal-on-metal hip implants, can cause dangerous levels of cobalt and chromium metal particles to enter the body. This can lead to metallosis, a type of blood poisoning, and genotoxicity, which can lead to genetic damage. Chromium and cobalt have also been linked to cancer, and could lead to the development of tumors. It can lead to aseptic fibrosis, local necrosis or even help to cause metallic corrosion and increase the chances of hip replacement failure.
In recent years, many types of metal-on-metal artificial hip systems have been linked to a high failure rate, which may result in the need for risky revision hip revision surgery. Although the manufacturers promoted these implants as stronger and more durable, it appears that they failed to adequately research the impact of metal ions entering the body from the artificial hip.
The metal hip replacement lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. began investigating potential lawsuits for individuals with elevated cobalt and chromium levels in early 2010. Since that time, the risk of toxicity from metal-on-metal hip replacement systems has gained substantial attention among the medical community and national media.
In August 2010, a hip replacement recall was issued for the DePuy ASR system, after the manufacturer acknowledged that about one out of every 8 patients may experience problems with the hip within five years after receiving the implant. Since that time, estimates suggest that the DePuy ASR hip failure rate may be substantially higher.
In May 2011, the FDA asked manufacturers of all metal-on-metal hip systems to obtain more information about the levels at which metal in the blood from hip replacements become dangerous and how much metal the devices actually shed. The agency also now provides substantial information about the risk of metal toxicity for individuals who have a metal-on-metal hip implant.
More recently, the FDA has announced that the concerns about metal hip replacement toxicity will be discussed at a June 2012 meeting of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Orthopedic Devices Panel. At that time, the committee will review the failure rates, testing for metal ion blood poisoning, imaging methods, local and systemic complications, patient risk factors and considerations for follow-up after surgery.
What is the ‘NORMAL’ level of chromium and cobalt in the body.
Ihave had a blood test for Cobalt and it came back st 17nmol/l Is this considered high ?Would I also have a test for Chromium levels?
I had a Depuy pinnacle hip replacement and had a fracture hip and weak muscles in hip and had to go to PT and metal in blood. Any One esle with same problems and know of a lawyer handling these cases
@Rita – Our metal-on-metal hip replacement lawyers are investigating potential DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits. If you have not already spoken with us, please call toll free at (800) 522-0102 or submit a request for a consultation
Deau Rita I am from Australia I am not an elderly person but i to had the hip replacement by DePuy. I now have to get it taken out after 4 years not to mention I have Cobalt poisong as well as some other health issues directly from the DePuy hipreplacement.
RITA, I HAVE BEEN A PA FOR 30 YEARS, 12 OF THOSE IN ORTHO SURGERY. I HAVE BILATERAL HIP REPLACEMENTS WITH PINNACLE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD ONE REVISION, THEN TWO MORE FOR INFECTION THAT NONE OF THE DOCS COULD DIAGNOSIS PROPERLY, WELL IT IS METALLOSIS, IT IS RARE AND MOST DOC’S ARE NOT AWARE OF IT. SO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND ASK YOUR DOCTOR QUESTIONS. AND SPECK TO A PRIVATE ATTORNEY AND STAY AWAY FROM JOHSON AND JOHNSON AND DEPUY PEOPLE, THEY WILL ENTRAP YOU AND YOU WILL LOSE THE COMPENSATION THAT IS RIGHTFULLY DUE YOU. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
I have not had any problems installed 6/4/2010
I just had a revision of my left hip 2 weeks ago. I had a pinnacle implant that failed after 2 years causing extremely high levels of cobalt and chromium in my blood. I also had a lot of metal debris all around the hip joint which the surgeon had to spend an extra hour in surgery scraping out. I don’t know what the long term effects of the metal might be yet.
i have had a depuy asr metal on metal hip replacement almost 7yrs ago, every thing went well, until the re call, no ache no pain,at first had xray and blood test, blood test showed high levels of cobailt and chrome, i so so shocked i didnt know what question to ask. surgeon advised me to have another blood test also MRI, after another worrying wait had another appointment with my surgeon, said mri was fine. this time i asked about the blood tests, chrome 7.7 cobailt 21,25. surgeon said he would change it but i had to make the decesion myself if i am woried about the high level of chrome and cobailt in my blood. he was by no means helpful or showed any sympathy to my plight. the levels could keep rising . i am strong and feel fit at the moment, but am also very worried, my surgeon wants me back again in 6 months,WHY i ask. will he do revision 2yrs down the road , i seem to be in limbo at the minute.
i had a hip replacement in oct 2000 it was the versi system even after all these years i have pain in the middle of the night it like a terrible charlies horse the hip stays sore all the time the doctor says it bursis i still walk with a limp and no longer can lift my legs with out hrlp i dont know if it the hip or the spinal fusion i had in 2008 i afraid there might be metal in my blood i developed a bad rash on my legs that wont heal they say is serisosis nothing seems to help the doctor act like im crazty whem i ask them about it
I have had a Depuy ASR hip resurfacing done in Nov. 2007 and started having problems in March of this year (2011) begininng with creaking of the implant to severe pain in my leg and groin and much difficulty walking. After seeing my chiro practor and massage therapist for a month I decided to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon who diagnosed me with implant failure. I have seen a total of 3 specialist and only one told me that it was the DePuy implant which is being recalled. Had my the blood test done yesterday for the chromium and cobalt. I am totally shocked and very concerned be cause of the health implications. I am waiting to be scheduled for the revision surgery which is risky I was told.
Do any of the people having problems mention chronic nausea?
Just want to tell Susie I have the same unbearable charlie horse from groin to feet from m on m implant and tons of pain since surgery 2 years ago, can’t walk or stand without pain. getting blood checked now
I had hip replacement surgery (DePuy) in June 2008. About six months later starting having problems. The orthopedic surgeon dismissed it saying, the pain was normal. After receiving cortisone shots, I knew something wasn’t right. Then he gave me a precription for a “patch” to wear over the incision. Finally I found a orthopedic doctor, that determined I had a infection, cobalt and chronium leverls very high, and the DePuy device had to come out. In December of 2010, I had the surgery. Then in May I had to have surgery on my other hip (left) because of the “wear and tear” from butting weight on the left side to compensate for the surgeries to the right side. Now my orthopedic doctor tells me my right and left hip are not even because of the sugeries. He had me put a “lift’ in my left shoe, put indicated that I will experience pain, for the rest of my life. I would like to hear from a experienced, aggresive attorney, because of the the problems I have had happened. No person should had to go thru with what I did.
HAD REPLACEMENT 2008 METAL ON METAL, SOME OF ALL THE PROBLEMS I’VE READ HERE, DONE AT THE VA WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE
I had total hip replacement 4 yrs ago, which failed 2 weeks past surgery. Hip was replaced second time a week ltr. 2 yrs ago I had A Depuy Metal on metal replacement on the left side. I had a blood test 1 yr ago and xray. My levels were fine in Oct 2010. I have had nausea, fatigue, joint pain and chronic pain in that hip, even skin is sometimes sore to the touch. I have lab slip to havd blood levels retested, and my surgeon is replacing on the head of the implant and leaving the femur shaft intact. Anyone had this suregery and do the symptoms subside after surgery?
I had bi lateral hip inplants on 07-07 with the ASR Depuy hips. In August of 2010 I was told they had both failed. November 1st I had severe pain in right side and on 12/04/11 I had my first revision. They found a tumor caused by the metal the size of a babies head. I lost 2000 cc of blood, had transfusion, and the list goes on. Had the second revision at the end of January. I had a second tumor that was smaller, but it just shows the metal causes big problems with your body. So far I have lost my thyroid, they thought I had lymphoma, which was negative. I have a enlarged spleen, joint pain, but my new hips feel great. The bad new is that I am very young and I have no bone left if I ever required a total revision again. I am in my early 40′s, so who know what the future holds. Not sure of the long term problems the metal will have on all of my organs, but I am hoping for the best. I have heard that two people have lost limbs, so get them out if you have them. Good luck to all, this has been a horrible year, but hoping for good times ahead. I think it is important for people to share the symptoms and any problems so we can all educate each other. I have a feeling it is going to be a tuff few years before we know all of the consequences these horrible implants have caused. The good news is that Depuy made billions so it is a win for them. I have a great Lawyer and I can only hope everyone else does as well. My lawyer has been through this a few years ago and knows the whole process.
Yeah, @all of you, Depuy really, really f’d all of us…I am only 33, had a pinnacle implanted in 06, had , mmm, 70+ dislocations but tolerated it as nothing short of my leg feeling it was falling off, is gettin me under GA again…
Well, this morning, aftter the last two months of KNOWING that my hip suddenly, “changed”, and became wary of every step fearful that my entire femur would shatter, but still didnt go…Well today, i am very aware, thaat i have had metallosis for about the last two months , when whatever happended, without “cause” happened, and my leg, literally feels as though it may “fall off” and the symptoms have now,,during this posting, reach me heart which is pounding as though trying to spit out whatever ————okayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy i cant believe this but “the end” cause I have to call an ambulance, this is very much not normal, anymore
I am getting ready for hip replacement number 4, i am 35 years old, and I received 2 of the depuy recalled hips, my cobalt level is 1.8
just wondering, what other peoples cobalt levels are and any side effects your having.
Thanks,
Stacy
p.s. I called depuy(johnson & Johnson) they said if I wanted to settle out of court, I would have to wait until the court case was over, how stupid, the point of settling out of court is to get your settlement sooner.
ALso, they are willing to pay for my next surgery, and travel, but they want a signed medical release, I don’t feel comfortable about this, has anyone elses done this.
Stacy, I would not sign anything untill you get some legal advice. I had a resurface about 7 years ago and for the last 12 months had pain, unexplained and stabbing as well as a dull ached. I have also been really unwell and the symptoms seems to fit exactly with what we have read here about metal poisoning but I am told my blood levels are ok so now feeling very confused and still in pain and unwell though, they have found inflammation around the hip joint by way of untra sound scan. Good luck to you – you seem to have have a tough time.
I had a smith and nephew metal on metal hip resurfacing in May 2008. In the meantime I developed renal cell carcinoma and had my left kidney removed. Shortly after ,my resurfaced hip began to hurt. My left leg and ankle swelled up and felt numb and tingled…went to my surgeon and he took out some joint fluid which should have been yellowy clear and mine was a crimson color….yup, metallosis. My revision is on Dec 30th. He said that with one kidney the metal pieces can’t leave my body quickly enough and they built up and that caused the swollen leg. He says he sees this 3-4 times a week…people with lessened kidney function and metal implants that need revisions….
I had metal on metal hip resurfacing in January 2007. And after reading all the reports I’m feeling very concerned. I was wondering what my next steps would be, can anyone advise please.
Does anyone suffer with diarrhea, cramps, swollen abdomen in addition to pain in sides? I’m wondering if this is metallosis. Need to get tested fast.
I had a hip replacement 7 years ago and have had pain ever since,I dont know what type it was,must have been metal,how do i find out.
I had a hip replacement 5 yrs ago ,,i recieved a letter from the hospital were i had it done to go have it checked ,so i did ,but it was just a xray,nothing else ,im wondering should i have a blood test too ,,as im experiencing a lot of heavy feeling in my hip now ,,also the xray came back ok i dont know waat sort of hip replacement i had apart from it being a metal on metal one,docs said to have another review in another yr ,but the pain is getting worse now,
.to any one whos reading in 209 i had a metal on metal hip replacement a year gone by still getting a lot of pain hospital didnt know what was wrong in 2011 the hip started grinding clicking it was really bad thats when the hosptal told me the lineing of the cup had come out and needing another hip replacement on the 8 i2 2011 it took three hour to and i was told my tissue was completley black i had to stay in bed for two weeks because the pelvis was crack and dislocated when nurses turned me over. a month on and i still feel really fatgued all the time
i had a metal on metal hip replacement 2007, was left with a huge dent that was larger than fist size & showed through my clothes, bupa would not take responsabilty although they admited it was a direct result of surgery. had tpo pay to have it put right although it looks better its still not right . shortly after hip replacement my feet & legs kept burning up then turning black. have told i have a rare condition called erythmagalemia. which is caused by the blood vessels opening to much.wonder if this is a direct cause of hip replacment, there is not much that can be given to help, was prescribed antidepressant for it or asprin? still have terrible groin pain and can feel & hear hip rolling, have burstisis at moment which is really painful..dr has sent me to physio????? get constant abssesses, going to request a blood test. be interesting to know if anybody else has similar symptoms….
I would like to reply to Jan of UK. I had a DuPuy metal on metal hip fitted in Feb 2010. Fine for 6 months and when I started to increase my walking it was really painful. I reported this when to my surgeon when recalled and had an x ray, MRI, ultra sound scan and blood tests.
All were normal except there was a small amount of fluid around the hip.This was at the 1 year stage. I was told that the problem was more likely muscular. I am a fit 61 year old. A year later and I am still getting pain on walking and now at night it has started to ache.
I do not feel well but not sure if the bloating and diarroeah are anything to do with it. My vision is not good and I am extremely forgetful and feel like I am in a bit of a haze. Who can say.
But I am now waiting to have a second blood test. I am not happy because when I had this fitted there were already warnings that all was not well with this implant.
I had Dupay metal on metal hips fitted Nov 2007 and May 2008, My Iron levels were high and after having MRI Scan in February 2011 showed fluid around both hips. Started getting groin pains and aching. I have had both replaced one in July 2011 and other January 2012. What a nightmare but getting there yet again. My surgeon was fantastic and has been a great support to me.
Anne you need to get you hip removed and get rid of the Metal on Metal.
I have now had ceramic fitted. I was getting a taste of metal in my mouth which is still there but not as bad.
I had a Dupay Pinnacle replacement in 2005. I suffered fracture in 2006 but was told it was not due to replacement. My hip creaks and has since the beginning but the doctor said the exray looks good, I am also having great pain in my shoulder. My hip was replaced due to infection…a septic joint, so I do not have arthritis. I also began about a year after the implant, to have severe itching on one arm…derm. said sounds nerve related…could this have anything to do with metal in blook?
I had a hip resurfacing done 2/6/09. It went very well, I am 65 and extremely active, yoga, tennis almost everyday, hiking. I have had 2 chromium and cobalt tests, the first showed it being in the high 20″s and 6 months later it is in the high 40″s. I feel good and my hip feels good and my yearly blood test showed, healthy. It is so hard to have the hip redone when it is working so well. Isn’t there anyway to remove the metals from your body, without the removal of the implant?
I have asr hip put in 5 years ago both xray and mri say it is ok although I have constant pain on walking. I have lymph gland blockage in both legs and i am sure it is down to metal debris but doc says my metal ions are below gov guidelines cobalt is 33 is he right ps he says he will take it out and put a new one in if I want which I find strange if nothing wrong with it why is he willing to do revision
I had Two Zimmer implants done in August and November of 2010. Since the First hip, I have had Many Health Problems that No-One seem to be able to solve. I went to several doctors and they had No Clue what was wrong with me, then in march, I read an article online about MoM hips, in the 5 minutes it took me to read it, All my questions were answered. I then called my surgeon for a blood test and he had No Idea, he had to look up what blood test I would need and set it up. I went and got tested for Cobalt and Chromium, The Cobalt was 2.4 and the Chromium was at 1.7. When I went to see him, he told me that my levels weren’t that High. He Practically Shoved me out the door and told me to call Mayo clinic on my own. Since my First THR I’ve had Almost All of the signs of Metallosis. I Recently had a second opinion and he sent me for an ultrasound, Currently I’m waiting on the results. I Pray Everyday that someone will Help me…
I have a bilateral DePuy Pinnacle hip replacements. I had one revision which has been a nightmare. I’m in pain worse then I was before I had any hip replacement. The doctor that did the revision had an obgyn assist him and also a DePuy rep in the or without my consent. I am NOT happy with all of this. I was not made aware of any risk factors before any of my hips were replaced. I do have high levels of metal in my blood too.