April 19, 2015 - Part of the difficulty in determining whether a patient will develop symptoms of metallosis or suffer hip failure after receiving a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII is related to how each individual reacts to metal ions in their body. As an example, one patient may suffer serious metallosis and metal toxicity symptoms even though they test at relatively low levels of cobalt and chromium. Another patient may test at very high levels of cobalt and chromium, yet may not be experiencing overt symptoms of metallosis and metal toxicity. Doctors have identified certain factors which appear to make patients who have been implanted with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant device more likely to develop symptoms of metallosis or to experience hip failure. These factors include the following:
· Patients who have received hip implant devices on both the right and left sides (bilateral implants) appear to be at a higher risk of Stryker hip metallosis and potential failure.
· Patients who are implanted with a device with a smaller femoral head may be at a higher risk of Stryker hip metallosis.
· Females tend to develop symptoms of Stryker hip metallosis more often than males.
· Patients who have suppressed immune systems at the time they are implanted with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII could be more likely to develop symptoms of metallosis.
· Patients who are severely overweight may be more likely to develop Stryker hip failure.
· Patients who routinely undergo high levels of activity may be more likely to develop Stryker hip failure.
· Patients with sensitivities to metal may be more likely to develop Stryker hip failure.
· Patients with kidney problems, or those taking high doses of corticosteroids could possibly be more prone to developing metallosis or to suffer hip failure.
Can You Stop Your Stryker Hip from Failing?
It is important to understand that the above factors may or may not impact whether your own Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant device will fail or whether you will develop symptoms of Stryker hip metallosis, requiring a Stryker hip revision surgery. Since your Stryker device is already implanted, you may wonder if there is anything you can do at this point to lessen the chances your device will fail. While losing weight if you are seriously overweight might, in theory, help prevent your Stryker hip device from failing, there are no guarantees. In theory, eating a healthier diet might also help your body fight off the effects of cobalt and chromium in your body, however, again, there are no guarantees.
Metal Sensitivity Could Increase Risks of Metallosis and Hip Failure
A 2012 article published on Drugs.com concluded that patients should be tested for metal sensitivity prior to receiving any type of metal hip device. While cobalt and chromium ions which build up in the body are dangerous for all patients, those with acute metal hypersensitivity are likely to suffer even more. It is important to speak to your physician regarding having regular testing done to determine whether your Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII is showing signs of failure as well as to have regular blood monitoring to test the levels of cobalt and chromium in your body. It could also be advantageous to speak to an experienced Stryker hip lawyer, even though you have not yet experienced failure of your Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII.