Re: Mont is a hack - BEWARE

[Guest guest]

I hope the following helps to once again increase your comfort level

if you are considering this procedure.

I have copied a document entitled " Much Adieu About Nothing? -

Getting Perspective on Metal Ion Levels " . which was authored by

Dr

P. Schmalzried, Associate Director of the Joint Research

Institute (JRI). Dr. Schmalzried is a member of the Board of

Directors of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Dr Schmalzried states in part:

" In patients with a well-functioning prosthesis with a

metal-metal

bearing, the ion levels are generally between 1 and 5 parts per

billion. How low are these levels? Consider that a line of one

billion tennis balls, placed side by side, would more than encircle

the equator of this planet. If these cobalt and chromium ions were

tennis balls, it would be like having 1 to 5 white tennis balls

somewhere in a line of yellow tennis balls encircling the globe "

He goes on to say…

" If there is any increase in overall health risk to patients with

a

metal-metal bearing prosthesis, it appears to be very low. Such risk

needs to be kept in perspective of the overall risks of total joint

replacement. It is a fact, obtained from the Medicare data base,

that the risk of death within 90 days of revision total hip

replacement is 2.6%! If the goal of a metal-metal bearing is to

prolong the life of the prosthetic joint, and thus avoid revision

surgery, then it is reasonable to accept the theoretical risks of

trace ions " .

At the 2003 Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting

the following Paper was presented

`Medium Term Serum Cobalt and Chromium Levels In Patients With

Metal-

Metal Resurfacing'

The Authors are quoted in part:

Cobalt was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

(ICP-MS). Measurements were taken from 39 patients with 7 bilateral

cases. Pre-operative levels were only taken from 15 patients, and

these were universally low (below 20nmol/l). In all patients the

serum levels of cobalt and chromium increased following Resurfacing

although the extent of the increase varied greatly between patients.

The data shows a definite trend of decreasing ion levels after 4

years. This may be consistent with running-in wear and healing of the

peri-prosthetic tissues providing a smooth, stable joint.

Alan

RBHR DeSmet Nov,2003

> Screw hip resurfacing and metal on metal bearings. Wait for long

> term ion studies.....

>

> Cr ions = cancer