As one more in a long line of metal-on-metal hip implants to be plagued with recipient problems, the Biomet M2A Magnum first became available in October of 2004. The design of the Biomet M2A was meant to maximize mobility, minimize friction and offer a variety of size ranges to allow surgeons to more precisely fit the implant to the specific anatomy of each patient. Unfortunately, Biomet’s design has been found to have many of the same risks as other metal-on-metal hip implants such as metallosis, nerve and tissue damage in the area surrounding the implant, bone loss and loosening of the device which contributes to hip dislocation.
When a patient experiences problems with the M2A Magnum—or any other metal hip implant—it is likely that revision surgery will become necessary. Metal hip implants in general were believed to wear much better than their polyethylene and ceramic counterparts. In conjunction with larger femoral head diameter, post-op dislocation rates were expected to be much lower as well.
Risk of Metallosis from the Biomet M2A Magnum
The Biomet M2A Magnum comes with the same risks of metallosis as other metal hip implants. When the cobalt and chromium ball rubs against the cobalt and chromium cup during times of activity, tiny shards of metal can shear away from the component, traveling into the body. These metal ions could become lodged in surrounding tissues or enter into the bloodstream. The human body will view these tiny metal shards as foreign invaders and will marshal its defenses to “fight” the intruder, sending white blood cells, known as macrophages, to attack the metal ions. As strong as they may be, these fighter cells are simply no match for the cobalt and chromium ions. When cobalt and chromium begin accumulating in the body of the implant recipient, the tissues will suffer inflammation which can ultimately lead to tissue destruction and death, bone loss and severe, chronic pain.
When the metal ions find their way into the bloodstream, they can wreak other types of havoc within the body. Although each body will react to the presence of metals differently, the longer the implant remains in the body and sends metal ions into the body, the more likely the patient’s metallosis symptoms will continue to increase in severity. Metallosis from the metal-on-metal hip implant can lead to cardiovascular issues, renal, thyroid and neurological damage, loss of memory, vision and hearing, problems with the gastrointestinal system, the formation of cancerous cells and alterations of DNA. As the metallosis progresses, the body’s immune system will weaken and infections can become more and more common.
No Recall, Adverse Reports
Unlike some other metal-on-metal hip implants, Biomet’s M2A Magnum has not been recalled although there have been adverse event reports from recipients of the implant, some of which required revision surgery. Revision surgeries tend to be much more difficult—and dangerous—than the original implant surgery. Because there is less bone for the surgeon to work with once the original implant has been removed, there is a greater likelihood that the second implant will also fail as well as other complications such as excess blood loss during the surgery, infection, and a much longer recovery time. Many recipients of the M2A Magnum could be unaware that their health problems could be directly related to their hip implant. It is advisable for recipients of any metal-on-metal hip implant to have frequent blood tests done and to report any unusual health symptoms to their doctor immediately.
By Andrew Sullo