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DECEMBER 2, 2010 - HOUSTON — If you have undergone hip replacement surgery and are experiencing any amount of pain as a result, you may be in more danger than you realize. Recent findings concerning certain types of metal-on-metal hip implant devices show that they are prone to early system failure and may even cause metal poisoning, or metallosis, which is a reaction to the metal debris that is shed when components of the device rub together.
On August 26, 2010, DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, announced it is voluntarily recalling two types of hip implants due to high early failure rates. The recall affects the ASR XL Acetabular System, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing system. To date, more than 93,000 of the devices have been implanted worldwide.
In the wake of the recall, countless patients have come forward with horrific stories of pain and suffering as the result of receiving a faulty DePuy ASR implant. If you or someone you love has been implanted with one of these devices, you must understand the risks and repercussions if you fail to seek medical help immediately.
Among the problems reported, some of the most common are:
- Swelling or pain in the effected hip or surrounding areas
- Difficulty walking or pain in the hip when doing so
- Grinding or popping noises originating in the hip area
- Inflammation or infection in the affected hip
- Dislocation or improper positioning of the implant
Perhaps the most dangerous side effect of all is metallosis, which, according to the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, is “aseptic fibrosis, local necrosis or loosening of a device secondary to metallic corrosion and release of wear debris.” Design problems with the devices cause the metal components to rub against each other and shed microscopic metal particles into the body, which can result in soft tissue damage, inflammatory reactions, blood metal poisoning and bone loss.
Symptoms of metallosis from metal-on-metal hip replacement devices can include pain, inflammation, tumors and difficulty walking. Specialized blood tests can be used to detect levels of toxic metals in patients experiencing these symptoms. In some cases, patients with DePuy implants have been found with 100 times the normal levels chromium and cobalt in their bodies.
Chromium and cobalt toxicity has been linked to cancer, and can affect the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, blood production, kidneys, liver and reproductive system.
Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include confusion, pain in muscles and joints, headaches, short-term memory loss, gastrointestinal upsets, food intolerances/allergies, vision problems, chronic fatigue, and others. The symptoms are so numerous that it is difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone.
The first step in treating metallosis or heavy metal toxicity is to identify the toxic elements and begin the removal process. With the DePuy ASR hip replacement system, this means a painful, costly “revision” surgery, which about 1 in 8, or 12 percent of those who have received the implants have been shown to require within 5 years. Originally, the devices were predicted to last 15 years before requiring any corrective revision.
For many patients, intravenous Vitamin C and replacement mineral infusions are also recommended to support the body through the metal removal process. Symptoms will often begin to improve within weeks of commencing treatment, but some may linger, indicating residual organ damage. Therapy may last as long as six months to two years.
Although a full recovery from metallosis is possible with early detection and removal of the defective DePuy ASR implant, many people suffer the effects of heavy metal toxicity for extended periods. Some of the damage, for instance to the liver or brain, may not be fully reversible, and many find that their food intolerances are never completely remedied. Unfortunately for those affected, only time will tell.
Recommended Readings:
Hip Implant Risks May Include Premature Failure
How the ASR XL Acetabular System is Constructed
DePuy Asks Hip Implant Patients to Sign Away Their Legal Rights
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