metallosis or something else??

March 20, 2011

> 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

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