Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants May Cause Metallosis

After being abandoned in 1970 as a design for hip implants, metal-on-metal was once again considered after the metal-on-polyethylene resulted to component loosening. The all-metal hip implants were once again used especially for younger patients and for those who have an active lifestyle. However, recent reports show that metal-on-metal implants cause tissue damage.

The all-metal hip implants are using the cobalt-chrome alloy. The cobalt-chrome, when put side-by-side with metal-on-plastic polyethylene plastic articulation, offers high wear resistance and smaller debris particles. MoM hip implants are durable enough to last a long time and are suited for physically active and younger patients. But the hip implant earned both positive and negative feedbacks from its users.

On a recent report of the New York Times, more evidences were provided by the newspaper company on the danger of metal-on-metal hip replacements. In the report, it was stated that the all-metal hip replacements shed metal particles which damages tissues around the hip. Corrosion of the metal components of the hip device will result to flaking off of its particles and maybe released into the blood stream. As the level of metal particles in the blood increases, metal toxicity of metallosis will eventually develop.

Metallosis usually causes pain around the implanted hip, rashes that indicate a dying tissue, tumor or fluid-filled mass, difficulty with mobilization and swelling and inflammation around the implant area. Loosening of the implant or detachment from the bone and dislocation or misalignment of the implant and bone may eventually happen. In addition, damage to the nerve, tissue and muscles near the implant may also occur.

In 2003, DePuy Orthopedics released their line of MoM hip implants, the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System. As stated in reports, the ball and socket of the implant do not fit perfectly making it a faulty design.A bigger portion of the femoral head is exposed resulting to corrosion and flaking off of the metal particles. On the August 2011 issue of the New York Times, complaints on all-metal hip implants has reached approximately 5,000 and 75% of it were all pertaining to the DePuy ASR hip system.

Complaints on metal-on-metal hip implants have soared and are becoming a health concern. Responses to the complaints of the affected patients have been made by device manufacturers. In 2010, an ASR hip replacement recall was ordered by the DePuy Orthopedics. Also, the FDA issued orders for post market surveillance studies to the different device manufacturers.

 

Reference:

youhavealawyer.com/faq/depuy-hip-metal-poisoning/

moriarty.com/depuy_hip_recall/Updates/How_the_ASR_XL_Acetabular_System_Causes_Metallosis/

activejoints.com/mom.html

hipsforyou.com/historyhipreplacement.php

fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/MetalonMetalHipImplants/ucm241601.htm

moriarty.com/depuy_hip_recall/Stay_Informed/What_is_Metallosis/

Known Complications Of Hip Replacement Surgery

Just hearing the word “surgery” can give most people the chills. Most of the time, people can not help but get worried when there is an impending invasive operation scheduled for them and unwanted thoughts and vexations arises inside the person’s head: what could go wrong? what if there is a mishap? what if it is unsuccessful? what if it would only worsen my condition? For those who are considering a hip replacement surgery you might get worried what could go wrong during and after the procedure and other predicaments associated with any type of invasive surgery. A recall was issued for DePuy Orthopaedic’s ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System as result of the rising number of reports regarding defective device’s structure. This is not the only recall for faulty hip implants because years ago a recall was issued for Stryker Acetebular Cup and Stryker Hemispherical Cup. Let us delve into this topic, for now.

 

Being jittery due to the impending surgery is a normal reaction. You can set your mind at ease by knowing what to expect in the operation and what could be the good and possible bad consequences of having the operation. You can actually raise your concerns to your doctor and clarify the questions you might have regarding the procedure. One of the frequently asked questions concern the complications in the surgery. Infections, blood clots, wound drainage, pain, numbness, stiffness, nerve and vascular injuries are some of the complications which could possibly arise in any invasive operation. There is high likely for an infection to occur. This can be detected through blood examination and observing the presence of hypothermia, pain and discomfort, redness of discoloration of the wound site and loss of function is possible. Blood clots is inevitable due to the injury to the vascular areas but a serious condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is highly likely especially in a hip surgery.

 

For those who suffered from defective metal-on-metal DePuy hip implants, there was a DePuy hip replacement recall issued and you can actually try to contact a DePuy hip replacement lawyer and have your case moving. For more information, visit related sites available.

 

 

 

 

Actual Experiences With Fosamax

Most often, Fosamax is the doctor’s call for bone problems involving bone density – most popular of which is osteoporosis. No less than 20 million prescriptions are written annually for the bone drug. Despite its success, this drug has also gained notoriety due to some serious side effects; hence, getting feedbacks from actual users would clear out apprehensions and set expectations of the would-be patients of Fosamax. 

By this time we are already familiar of the different issues Fosamax has been associated to. Quite a few cases have already been called against Merck, the manufacturer, regarding adverse effects of the drug which the company seemingly failed to acknowledge. In an up to date event, Canadian Court dismisses motion for a class-action lawsuit against Fosamax. 

For starters of Fosamax therapy, it’s ordinary to be worried about its favorable and unintended effects. Although our doctors do not lack the conveyance of giving us reminders about the therapy, the need to hear what others would say about the drug will never be vanished. Testimonials and user reviews are all over the internet but I have collected some of those from reliable sites and summarized them in this article. 

Since the therapeutic effect of drug is targeted mainly on keeping the bones strong, it won’t be observed unless several bone scans are being done. Because of that, evaluations from users are largely about the side effects they have experienced and not its benefits. 

If you go through forums regarding Fosamax, probably the most frequent pointer you will see is about muscle and joint pains – may it be on the jaw, back, hips, knees and even on the toes. According to some, the pain was so severe and what’s more is that the pain does not seem to subside until the end of the course. In addition, some also reported heartburn, upset stomach, constipation, itchy eyes and swelling sinuses.

 The Fosamax side effects cited above are based on users that posted their own comments about the drug. You may or may not experience the same side effects. Furthermore, talk to your health care provider if you have doubts or concerns about your Fosamax therapy as he/she knows what’s best for your condition. 

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