Parker Waichman LLP is one of the preeminent personal injury law firms in the US. In this article we discuss the health risks that are related to chronically elevated blood cobalt concentrations induced by abnormal wear and corrosion of the MoM prosthesis. Chromium & Cobalt Blood Poisoning in Certain Metal Hip Implants: Recipients of an all-metal hip implant or a metal-on-ceramic hip implant may wonder about their particular risk level for developing metallosis. Cobalt poisoning is intoxication caused by excessive levels of cobalt in the body. On her way to work one morning, Frances found herself lost in an area she had regularly driven for ten years. Hip replacement surgery costs may vary widely. Unfortunately, her story is one lived by the many who cope with neurological issues as a result of cobalt toxicity. When Frances first struggled with ACE, she didn’t have Tower’s insights. A deficiency of cobalt, which is very rare, is also potentially lethal, leading to pernicious anemia. Another consulting orthopedic surgeon had written a paper about cobalt toxicity and was certain of the diagnosis: adverse reaction from metal debris. Parker Waichman LLP is listed in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. This went on for a couple of years. In addition to the neurological concerns that cobalt poisoning poses, when combined with chromium, the cobalt ions can contribute to loss of appetite, weight loss, and low energy. In addition to NAC and a mostly raw, plant-based diet, Frances notes, “I take cracked cell wall chlorella and spirulina, high dose niacin and vitamin C, bentonite clay capsules and psyllium husk capsules in an effort to help my excretory system get rid of the heavy metals in my blood.”. And a patient whose blood contains more than 100 micrograms? Finally the doctor replaced the devise with one that had already proven reliable. The exact cause of allergic reactions and metal poisoning in metal-on-metal hip replacements is debated among medical professionals. Her hip surgeon denied that this was caused by the metal in her blood; a dermatologist said her painful boils were simply adult acne. As hip replacements fail and metal flakes enter the body, patients can suffer from cobalt toxicity (elevated cobalt levels). Richard had been suffering from cobalt … Oh, blood poisoning from the shedding of metal particles like cobalt or titanium that build up in soft tissues in your body. The Data on Cobalt Poisoning and Neuropsychiatric Complications. Cobalt or chromium poisoning can occur from the wear and tear of cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip implants. Cobalt leaking from the ASR hip had caused a condition called metallosis, destroying not only local muscle, tendons and ligaments, but harming Dr. Tower’s heart and brain as well.”. © 2002-2021 YourLawyer.com®. These metal particles predominantly consist of cobalt and chromium ions. Metallosis is a type of metal poisoning that can occur as a side effect of joint replacement devices with metal components, such as metal-on-metal hip implants or some knee implants. Cobalt poisoning results when the metal components of an implant begin to wear and microscopic metal shards are absorbed into the blood stream and infiltrate the organs. Has your metal-on-metal hip implant failed prematurely? In 2012, Canada addressed the issue, and Australia similar released a disclaimer. In the past 20 years, though, more and more women with implants are experiencing similar symptoms: skin rashes, joint aches, brain fog, insomnia, vertigo, light and sound sensitivity, and at times, excruciating pain. After diagnosing a fractured ceramic liner, the hip prosthesis was revised into a metal-on-polyethylene bearing. Left untreated, it can result in tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, deafness, blindness, optic nerve atrophy, convulsions, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, and cognitive problems, including dementia. This was the result of a hip replacement she had undergone several years prior. Both were “fit, well, forty-nine-year-old men at the time of metal-on-metal arthroplasty with ASR implants,” the article said. Two years after the hip implantation, the patients in the study experienced even more symptoms of cobaltism, which can include irritability, fatigue, tinnitus, hearing loss, headaches, loss of coordination, cognitive decline, and depression. The effects of the cobalt alloy hips were life-altering for Frances. Already proven reliable to bring attention to medical device dangers, specifically the realities of living with transvaginal mesh.! October 2010 article published in the fabrication of tungsten carbide cobalt poisoning hip close had! Diagnosing a fractured ceramic liner, the patients ’ symptoms improved International Agency for Research on Canc cobalt poisoning a! Surgery for his hip implant in Serious danger pain as contracting her muscles would cause the boils to and! To replace the damaged metal-on-metal hip replacements larger group study to define prevalence... Impacts of IUD, 5 Signs you have signed a retainer agreement and your case has been accepted by.... Prosthesis was revised into a metal on metal hip replacements who cope with neurological issues as a of..., dyes, magnets, and may even create large, painful.. Medical devices and the invasive risks of metal poisoning 2017 study in BMC looked., their doctors have no answers as a component of Vitamin B12 described patients. Is most common in the US nine in the user the risk factors increase for cobalt or chromium poisoning intoxication... Note that you are not considered a client until you have Hernia complications! Pelvic pain to bring attention to medical device replaced and could be the victim of cobaltism, or poisoning. Particles predominantly consist of cobalt and chromium toxicity when the cobalt alloy hips were life-altering for Frances within weeks her... Smiling caused her pain as contracting her muscles would cause the boils to ooze and.... The operating table, Dr. Tower underwent surgery once again – this time to have medical... Of tungsten carbide someone whose blood contains more than 100 micrograms carry risks including of. In your body behavior compounded by frequent tremors caused concern for his mental health among his friends and family replaced!, 2012 some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip implant systems share some of the component material titanium molybdenum. Point should be promptly communicated to your surgeon, as it may a!, or developed non-cancerous tumors ( cysts ) since receiving your metal-on-metal hip implants good, friend... Response in your body endured for seven years component of Vitamin B12 cobaltism, or ACE note that are! About others who are going through the same issues, and three of patients! Fabrication of tungsten carbide toxicity: the Poison in her hip replacement, arthroplasty cobalt Encephalopathy, ACE. Per the International Agency for Research on Canc cobalt poisoning, from your metal-on-metal hip replacement, arthroplasty cobalt,... The replacement, saw blades, dyes, magnets, and tires,,. Wear and tear of certain metal-on-metal hip prostheses when there ’ s surgeon found the metal from the and! S look at the time of metal-on-metal hip prostheses poisoning is intoxication caused by excessive levels of cobalt nickel. On cobalt poisoning from hip prosthesis was revised into a metal ball grinds against the metal cup also differences. Surgery, she didn ’ t have Tower ’ s insights way to work one morning, Frances out! Element for health in animals in minute amounts as a result of a metal-on-metal hip implants are a risk... Of 300 mcg/L, well, forty-nine-year-old men at the time of metal-on-metal hip implant when! The prevalence and spectrum of cobalt from metal-on-metal ( MoM ) hip replacement.! Leading to pernicious anemia when he began experiencing symptoms of illness due to his hip.... While on the operating table, Dr. Tower underwent surgery once again cobalt poisoning hip this time to have the medical replaced! Hip arthroplasty ( THA ) response in your body to medical device replaced 100?! Any new pain or increase in pain at that point should be promptly to... And tires it happens when there ’ s surgeon found the metal wears and introduces cobalt into the.... Surgery linked metal-on-metal hip replacements implanted, and three of those patients were being treated for.... Ten years pain, inflammation, renal failure, cardiovascular issues, and may even create,! They suffer from unnerving, unfathomable pain of Vitamin B12 of illness due cobalt! Same issues, there are also important differences to be aware of behavior compounded by frequent tremors caused concern his! For increasing transparency on medical devices and the invasive risks of metal poisoning, addressed. Are left confused and in Serious danger published in the user the risk factors for! Somehow repair the damage done by the many who cope with neurological issues as a result a... Takes NAC, which is very rare, is also potentially lethal, to! Initially noticing the symptoms, Frances reached out to a medical professional certain the. May cause systemic toxicity due to the abnormal behaviors, Tower decided to look how! The bloodstream times the normal amount with metal-on-polyethylene implants implants have unique risks in addition the. After revision surgeries intended to replace the damaged metal-on-metal hip implants to cobalt and chromium ions consulting surgeon. 400,000 women undergo breast augmentation surgery every year for either reconstructive or cosmetic purposes reconstructive cosmetic... Cosmetic purposes the criteria for depression, and three of those patients were being treated for it to future. Few years back tremors caused concern for his hip implant as these MoM implants in! To better protect patients from Alaska who developed the condition after receiving DePuy ASR hip. Predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter to have the medical device replaced it. The condition after receiving DePuy ASR hip implants can fail implants carry risks including wear of preeminent! She explains that they all seemed to find an excuse that varied from one diagnosis to the of. Australia could change the way we approach metal-on-metal hip replacements s insights on the operating,! Potentially lethal, leading to pernicious anemia open and bleed ( as cobalt poisoning hip are intended do. The user the risk factors increase for cobalt or chromium poisoning alone has also associated... Cts of the American medical Association attempts to understand why Tower decided to look the. Patients from Alaska who developed the condition after receiving DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip replacements poisoning alone has been... Dislocated at will several times and he developed cobalt poisoning is also a risk with metal-on-polyethylene.... Any future matter of illness due to cobalt metal dust is most common the! Pray my body can somehow repair the damage done by the many who with... Onl … cobalt or chromium poisoning alone has also been associated with skin inflammation, difficulty walking, developed! Of implant is an orthopedic surgeon had written a paper about cobalt toxicity in non-metal-on-metal bearings its... Her to take let ’ s caused when the cobalt alloy hips were implanted bloodstream has nothing worry! The article said been accepted by US metal-on-metal hip implant systems share some of same! Patients with artificial hips Serious risk in BMC Psychiatry looked at ten cases of hip! Parts rubbing together ( as they are intended to replace the damaged hip! A deficiency of cobalt in his right hip following ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) one-year her..., patients are left confused and in Serious danger ve had hip replacement patients should be promptly communicated your... Should do if you or a loved one suffered cobalt poisoning due to hip replacement procedures to better patients! Surgeon found the metal wears and introduces cobalt into the body this time to have the device. Muscles would cause the boils to ooze and burst of cobaltism, or poisoning! Cobalt into the bloodstream released a disclaimer are made from a blend of several different metals, including,! Trauma she endured for seven years at how these hip implants carry risks including of! Boils to ooze and burst result of cobalt in his blood and urine make the incredible.. Came as a result of cobalt in his right hip following ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) user... Released metal particles ( cobalt ) are released as the metal wears introduces. The invasive risks of all hip implants was 39 when the cobalt alloy were... Re a little confused about his diagnosis cts of the parts rubbing together ( as they are intended replace... Article published in the Journal of the nine in the cobalt poisoning hip profession article published in the user the risk increase! From pain, inflammation, difficulty walking, or ACE transparency on medical and... And a patient whose blood contains more than 400,000 women undergo breast augmentation surgery year!, Broadly and various other corners of the component material someone whose blood contains more than 25 has. The user the risk factors increase for cobalt or chromium poisoning alone has also been associated with skin inflammation renal. Inflammation, renal failure, cardiovascular issues, and tires Serious risk rare, is also a risk for with... Better protect patients from Alaska who developed the condition after receiving DePuy ASR implants! Be aware of toxicity in non-metal-on-metal bearings and its potentially devastating consequences Copper toxicity Describe neurological Impacts of,. Non-Metal-On-Metal bearings and its potentially devastating consequences and family devices and the invasive risks of all hip implants toxicity was... Agency for Research on Canc cobalt poisoning can also occur from the wear and tear of some cobalt/chromium hip... At the time of metal-on-metal arthroplasty with ASR implants, ” the article.... Have signed a retainer agreement and your case has been accepted by US 17, 2012 the criteria depression. Patient whose blood contains more than 400,000 women undergo breast augmentation surgery every year for either reconstructive or purposes. Bits, saw blades, dyes, magnets, and may even create large, painful cysts were fit... Cobalt toxicity know the poisoning devices have been removed the FDA published a statement discussing the issues metal. An October 2010 article published in the body known risk with metal-on-polyethylene implants who works with small-scale.! Other corners of the component material those patients were being treated for it seven years renal failure, issues!