Not so long ago, Texas envisioned a driver’s point system as a consistent mechanism to keep track of bad drivers. “Points” would be assigned to an individual’s driving record for certain traffic violations, and individuals who accrued too many points would be penalized as a result.

A State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin article details the difficulties experienced by two patients after undergoing hip replacement surgery using a metal-on-metal implant. Both patients were 49-year old males who were in good physical condition—other than pain or inability to fully participate in normal activities—prior to the hip replacement surgery.

When one or more of the pelvic organs shift downward, possibly even intruding into the vaginal canal, it is known as pelvic organ prolapse. The uterus, vagina, urethra, bladder or rectum can all drop from their proper position, causing a multitude of problems and issues. In the United States alone as many as one-quarter of all women have some level of pelvic organ prolapse.

Artificial hip replacements have become increasingly common, yet as people begin to live longer, it is inevitable that these artificial joints will fail, wear out, or cause health complications. Should any of these issues arise a hip revision surgery will become necessary to replace the failing joint.

Cobalt poisoning as a result of industrial exposure or medical treatment is fairly well known, however those who were fitted with a metal-on-metal hip implant were not expecting to be subjected to dangerous levels of cobalt. Cobalt poisoning can lead to ringing in the ears, dizziness, deafness, blindness or atrophy of the optic nerve, severe headaches.