Re: metallosis or something else??

[Guest guest]

hi Celaine,

Shortly before my revision surgery I had to get blood tests and they were

sent to the Mayo Clinic to be tested (I dont know why there) and MRI's. The

results I was told my " metalic levels are elevated " No numbers were given or

offered me. My MRI showed total loosening and a pool of liquid surrounding my

hip joints. My surgeon said thats alarming and " You been dealt a bad hand "

After my revision surgery I found out he said it was a good fit, I didnt even

fasten it! To me that doesnt sound very reassuring. I see him this week, with

questions.

>

>

> > Dear Friends

> >

> > I had a THR (Bio Met M2M) 1 1/2 years ago...the surgery was successful and

implant looked

> > great on any and all tests. BUT I had pain that increased at 6 months and

wouldn't let up.

> > Pain with movement, pain with weight bearing...etc. No other symptoms except

a odd rash

> > that came and went for several months. My surgeon was puzzled and tested for

everything he could think of: infection, loosening components, etc. but no test

revealed much at all.

> > Only my Sed rate and CRP blood counts were elevated, but not to extreme

levels. SO, he sent me to Dr. s at Rush in Chicago for more testing.

He was able to test my blood levels for both Cobalt and Chromium, also Titanium.

They were all high and so he advised

> > revision surgery. My tissues somehow were reacting to the implant and all

was clearly not well. SO my surgeon did a revision surgery 5 weeks ago, and

found the the acetabular component was completely loose. As in so loose he

removed it with a forceps! There was no bone growth into the cup at all...and

the tissue around it was damaged. He had to remove it, clean out the damaged

tissue, including bone. Graft in new bone, and replace it with another Bio Met

device that is part metal/part crossed linked poly. He also removed the very

large ball from the first implant, and replaced it with a smaller version. He

had to use screws to secure the cup to my pelvis. It wasn't pretty, and I am on

no weight bearing protocol for a full six weeks. NOW, whether we call this

metallosis or not, obviously my body had an immune system reaction to the metal

in the implant which caused aseptic loosening. This has been a troubling and

difficult experience. I wonder if any others with Bio Met hips have had similar

troubles? These devices have not been recalled, but the issues I have had are

the same as those with recalled devices.

> >

> > I would be very grateful to hear from some of you, as well as glad to share

more details of my experience if that would be helpful.

> >

> > Celaine

>