Recalled hip joint. Scary heavy metal poisoning & tumors

Bones, joints and muscles
1

My hip has been rcalled by the manufacturer due to the risk of heavy metal poisoning and dislocation  due to a 2" metal insert to join the ball joint to the hip joint done and recalled in 2011. This 2" piece was designed to make it easier for the surgeon. He did 4 in one day by 1 pm. He was out on the golf course.

every 6 months must do heavy metal testing & nuclear cat scan for pseudo tumors. 

The metals rub with wear & fretting metal can get into the blood stream & once a level of the dangerous metals are noted in the blood stream it cannot be removed. Therefore the major organs are effected  and shut down. Also causes pseudo tumors around the surgical site due to fretting metals.

Has any one else been in this predicament. Waiting for tumors, blood level tests to show reason for replacement. In the mean time I am in serious pain. pain meds are forbidden in the US unless u r dying. Or after surgeries.See my point.?  I am stuck in hell waiting  for something to cause the surgeons to replace a recalled joint. Also the original surgeon left the state....

This is my 3 rd hip and this model always was painful when placing all my weight on the leg to step up or down or bend over. The other hip joints never continued to be as painful. I realized the difference in recovery 6 moths out. That's when the surgeon who did the surgery to me the Manu. Did the recall.I complain about the pain to deaf ears. the X-rays are ok , the cat scans are ok.. So I guess I have no reason in black & white to have real crippling pain. I cannot do much since this recalled hip has change my life. Not fair at all.

my rt.  hip is fine done 12 yrs ago. This recalled replace the lft. hip worn out plastic cups with a new model which is metal on metal press fit model by Stryker. AGBII .

Any one else experience this issue?

thankx.

peace,luv& laughter.

 

2

I hate to be the one to recommend seeing an attorney but in your case, I think it's justified. There are several that deal with the metal joints and they can probably tell you how to address it with your physician to get help for the pain you're having now while they sort out what to do about replacing the defective joint. You might also consider a Pain Clinic if your doctor will refer you. I've been on the "forbidden" medications through the pain clinic for a few years now. 

I wish you the best. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you. I would want the joint taken out too, whether it was causing problems or not. Good luck!

3

oh, so sorry; i had heard that metal on metal was bad  and that it caused pain due to metal getting into the blood; so yes, you should get an attorney and you will probably have to get  a new ceramic on metal  or ceramic on ceramic ; you should get compensated for having to go thru all this pain; i suffer with chronic pain from fibromyalgia and had to have both hips replaced 2 years ago and i still feel the 'pain' where they cut the bone, but that is because of my fibromyaglia...Good luck on you new hip replacement; i hope they can do it soon

 

4

THANKX Cindy I am on a list with others in a class action law suit. In the mean time until settlement I am suffering physically & emotionally with no compensation.

It's the waiting for joint surgery. When tests show it needs to be done. This is the third one on the same hip. My doc says they will have to break the femer bone to remove the implant from the drilled hole in the bone. I am small boned and from two joint replacement already very little bone stock left as the replacements are much larger . And the dr says three times is really out of the question in my case. They will try to go in and replace the stem & use the stem from another coated system. YIKES!

Thank you for UR kind words and I hope UR in good shape stay well.

Peace,luv & laughter.

H4C

 

5

Not yet but thanks for my next nightmare

6

Yikes.... Gloria I am sorry to hear that UR bone was cut...

what do. Mean? I'm a little worried. They always cut the bone and drill a hole into the femor bone for the stem . The up use a lot of tools sorta could be described from a carpenters tool kit. Any way it is miserable.

i am on a list with joint action law suit againt them... It's the waiting. As there are few options.. First two hip replacements went fine they have polyurethane cups to line the metal for safe movement . 

This last one is to much. It has been known since the 70's metal on metal causes serious fretting issues.they assume the 2" stem will not cause fretting. The surgeon and the manufacturer should know better as well as the federal approval board. The surgeon left my state wha a coward.

 Am happy to connect with u. How has the hip implant changed UR life ... Even good ones slow is down... I have had FM since before he frst implant. It's always something isn't it. I try to stay positive. Sometimes health issues pie up...

keep in touch let me know hw UR doin and how u cope with FM.

Peace , Luv & Laughter

7

I know lawsuits can drag on forever. I would seriously try to find a pain clinic. You should have all the justification you need. I'm in Tennessee and mine is at Vanderbilt but I'm sure you can find one close to you. 

Im doing pretty well to be 7 weeks post op. It's a long road but the pain is improving so I shouldn't complain. 

8

Hi,

ur welcome! LOL.. As I hope to inform others... This has thousands who have suffered from MOM HIP implants. It's really the waiting ?

Metal on metal hip replacement joints has been a issue since the 70's. Well known to cause fretting issues and tumors. Dr know this and manufacturers know this. This is a small part 2" neck designed by the manufacturer to align wit the other hip and leg length issues. 

do u have hip joint issues? If this is something u may be facing remember to ask if the replacement join in not a metal om metal(MOM) . All hip joins only last for a minimum of 15-20 years, depending on age and activities.

just within the last year the FDA in this country US, has passed resolutions for manufacturers to design better hip joints with a 30 yea guarantee. How they are going to do that is beyond understanding. Hips wear out depending on the age & lifestyles within different usage time periods.

it is nice to connect with u. 

Peace, luv & Laughter.

H4C

 

9

Hi, from tenn. Huh!  I have a tenn walker.. Haha... Beautiful tenn... I think Iof as horse country. Also have a Arabian they always put a smile on my face.

I am in Oregon northwest coast. U cannot get pain meds here.. Pain contracts only... Also they DONOT give pain meds for every type of pan duet new laws.  Take OTC MEDS. All I can do for now. Other meds make me sick especially opiates very allergic. Makes my whole body feel like bugs are crawling and stinging me. Some nice hallutations too!

So as the old saying goes what a girl to do?

so nice to connect with you. Follow the dr advice.. Stay strong get into PT ASAP. U WILL BE GLAD U DO.. KEEP UP THOSE BUTT SQUEZZES!

Al those leg reps. Also swimming PT is great for reconditions the lost muscle from surgery. 

Keep in touch let me know how UR doing.  After 3 hip joint surgeries i have become a pro at recovery techniques. I was thinking about starting a new thread just on recovery hints. Got any?

My biggest is. Avoid pants was my best way to avoid stepping into undies pants etc. wear adult diapers easy on easy off elastic waist clothing for pull over clothing like dresses, skirts..and BOOST helped me feel better ... Body needs lots of calories for recovery the nurse brought me some and explained how important the right calories are for recovery.Made me feel instantly better still does. 

I lost 20 lbs waiting for surgery ...

Peace, Luv & Laughter

H4C

 

10

you have been through so much..3 hip replacements on one hip? wow! the thought of going through that surgery again...some of the worst pain i have ever felt and dealing with FM; you have alot of courage and a good attitude; hope everything turns out well for you and soon!

11

I live in the city but I drive by some horse "farms" on the way to see my surgeon. I moved here from Chicago in 1996 and don't ever want to leave. 

My husband has a good friend who lives in Oregon. His wife is from there so they moved there to be close to her family. My husband went there for a rafting trip once and he said it was beautiful there. 

As as for pain, I have a pain contract and it works very well for me. It obligates them to help me find the right meds or treatments that relieve some of the pain. It also makes it easier for me because I get all my meds from them. I have nerve damage from the car accident that no one else could help but they did. It was a procedure called radio frequency ablation where they burn lesions on the nerve to calm it down. It has helped for over 3 months now. No other doctors would even attempt it but the pain doctors do things most doctors don't. I was very happy to be referred to them. 

I laughed at the butt squeezes comment. I do them all the time. I really wish I could go back to the pool for therapy but I have a weird burn next to my incision where a tool used during surgery burned me so I can't get in the pool until it heals. I'm going back as soon as the scab is gone though. 

I wear dresses a lot too or gowns when I'm home. My mom stayed with me a couple weeks after surgery so between her and my husband, someone helped me get dressed every day. My husband still has to put on my left sock and shoe (I'm 7 weeks post op). I have two reachers that I use a lot. One is longer with bigger grippers. The other one is smaller and has a hook I use to take my socks off and other random things. 

I wish I had lost 20 lbs. before surgery. I started taking gabepentin for nerve pain over a year ago and gained 40 lbs.  😡 Now I'm about ready to start trying to lose it. The doctor said it's okay to start as long as I start slow, keep my protein high and eat several small meals throughout the day. I love Boost. I may have one now since you mentioned it. They have more calories than I need now though so I have to be careful. If you're not taking a calcium supplement, you should. I take citracal petites because I hate the huge tablets but my doc to me to be sure to take those too. Especially with your small bone structure, you need all the healthy bone you can get. 

I really hope things improve for you very soon. I've been dealing with mine since October of 2011 and know the toll it takes both physically and emotionally. Hang in there. 

12

THank so much for UR words of encouragement. I enjoyed reading UR story.  It's always comforting to connect with others who have the same experiences. I think how brave u are u sound so positive. UR very strong in coping with all of this. It has been a nightmare always in pain. 

I can't take oxy or pain meds allergic to them. And I take OTC meds. I was taking oxy on a pain contract and my surgeon was kind enough to give me a RX  on check up before surgery. The PC doc called me and told me I broke my contract I hade 3 days of before I went to PC for RX refil for pain meds as she refused to write a RX even though my surgery was scheduled X-rays & cat scans showed the bone on bone pain. 

We live 30 miles from my PC and the surgeon was closer. I was sick with the flu. So it was a relief to be able to get pain meds from the surgeon for three days. 

three days later I felt better stomach flu was so much better. I kept my appt with my PC / pain contract with she and two ther dr. Yelled at us and escorted is out of the office. Since then pain dr said they do not offer pain meds for hip pain. I had to get a whell chair for 3 weeks until my appointment for surgery. In other words no pan clinics would help me I now was considered a pain med seeker. How crazy is that? Dr are supposed to help U I was a mess. My surgeon said even rhogh I told him I was on a pain contract when he wrote the RX me he was bound by law to refuse me meds until my surgery. I had no idea I had broken the contract. We lived so far from the dr and at the surgeons all was proven by X-rays I ha ligit ament pain I assumed it was ok. I was not a drug addict. Well silly me all the X-rays in the world were not proof enough.

AFter surgery had plenty of meds. The afew months later the pain never went away I found out the new hip joint was recalled.

i have seen a revision surgeon for this issue and that dr knows I am in pain & will not give me pain meds. Since then hip was so painful on it to much and went t merenc for he pain. Thougt it dislocated . T was lose and he ligaments and muscles were twisted as the ER too a cat scan & gave me diulaub pres. For pain. 

Since then been into te revision dr who onl des recalls again and said not ready for revision surgery noted what I mention in previous post and here I am 2 yrs later still stuck in limbow...we have thought about a private attorney but we have research sueing dr. And it is very difficult a long drwn out process. 

I wonder if the stress to go there is worth it. My marriage of 33 years is already strained, so not sure what to do.

mu husband and sister have been here for me thru all three surgeries. Helped in every way. They at exhausted from this as much as I am I canno hardly do anything. I have aged 10 years in the past 2 not at all the same as before all this has just stole my life. 

I just had a friend who went thru hip surgery, she has had a really hard time. Trying to support her. She knows all t well m circumstances and was hesitant yet had no choice had to do the surgery. 

I was wondering what is UR pain doc prescribing for u. Do u have to go see the pain clinic each month for a new script for pain meds a pick up a new RX each time. That is what the is system here. I am so relieved that u are doing so well. U should like u have a good idea on what to do and expect. 

What burned u is what bothers me nothing should? There is nohing in the surgery proceedure that I have experienced that could burn the surgical area site. Do u know? Tha sound terrible. I am so SORR that has happened. Sounds like neglegence. Should not have ocurred.

take care Cindy don't do anything I would do or can't .... LOL that's not much. I wish u well on UR road to recovery and ask that he Lord give u the strength to follow u in this journey and give u all u Need to sustain u to the end of the path of recovery. 

Peace, luv & Laughter

H4C

 

13

Here is something that will blow your mind - i have no idea what type implant i have inside of me.  That's crazy.  I am sure the doctor explained that to me (or maybe not?) on the initial visit but i have not retained any of it, all i was thinking was..just lets get it done with asap.  But thanks to you, planning to email him to get the details.  

14

Hi Gloria,

I may not have been very clear.i have had both hips replaced. The first two were ok. Thr rt and left.  Then the left one wore out after 12 years. That the third one on the lft. So two on the left and one on the rt.

still wondering why the pain lingers on so long.

 it so confusing even I can't keep track the revision hip dr can't either evidentially. What are u taking for pain? What helps u the most?

i live in Oregon .where are U?

Anyway so glad to hear from u . Hope u are well. 

Keep in touch always enjoy UR mails.

Peace, luv & laughter

H4C

15

Thank you! I'm beginning to see how you're surviving through this terrible ordeal. Saying a prayer for me (a total stranger) will certainly give you even more strength than me. Thank you. Although it's terrible to know that others are dealing with similar pain and suffering, it's comforting to know we're not alone. 

I'm so sorry about how the pain clinic treated you. I've heard they can be difficult if there's even the slightest chance they think someone is abusing the system. Unfortunately many, many people like you who truly need it don't get it because of "the system." You've been through so much it's very sad that someone won't help you. 

I'm taking Percocet, gabepentin and KBGINT (a compounded lotion that I apply to my hip and thigh where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is damaged). I also take ibuprofen and Tylenol. I'm slowly trying to reduce whatever I can whenever I can but it's a slow process. I have to see the doctor and get the new prescriptions every 3 months. I'm okay with that so he can see how I'm doing and let me know if there's anything else they can do to help. 

My marriage has taken a big hit too. We've only been married 5 years and we've spent half of it dealing with this. We were trying to have a baby but now it's basically too late and I don't know if my body could handle it anyway. I guess I look at it like we were meant to adopt and one day we'll find that child that's meant to be ours. In the meantime we have two pugs that are like our children so it's okay. 

As for my burn, it was a freak thing that happened because the nurse who handed the doctor the reamer (the one with a long arm and cheese grater thing on the end to clean out the acetabulum) didn't cool it properly before giving it to him and he didn't check it so when it touched my skin, it left a second degree burn. I guess it gets very hot because it spins so fast. The doctor said he had never heard of that happening. I couldn't find anything on the internet either. Very strange. You're right, it shouldn't have happened. 

I truly hope things improve for you very soon. I'll keep you in my prayers. 

 

16

I don't know the manufacturer but I know the materials used. I think I'll email my doctor too and find out because you never know when you might need the specifics.

I was watching tv the other day, I think it was CSI, and when investigating a murder, they had to use the serial number on the hip implant to identify the body. It seems crazy but it worked. I had no idea we could be identified by our new hips!

17

I don't even know what type of procedure was used on me.  Was it the one where the bone wraps into the implant or cemented or metal on metal...see what i mean.  And of course manufacturer info.  It is very sad, really.  Having had both hips replaced posterior and anterior and being so ignorant about the details of what and how it was done to me.  The subject never came up in the one year period of my surgeries, not even my kids asked me...God bless forums...

 

18

Wow! I would have thought someone would have asked at some point.  My husband even researched manufacturers and all the different material combinations before my surgery. All I remember is that it's titanium, plastic and ceramic. Oh well, I guess if you're not having problems, it really doesn't matter. 😊

19

Yikes it all relevant... I would have never guessed either.. Only the first hip was right before a recall on the cement used on a duprey hip.

then after serious probes and the Stryker recall on my hip I earned a great deal. Looked up the parts online discovered ther were 4 andA special table is designed to make I easier for the surgeon to suggest more could be done in a day.

i Gess I never would have thought twice about the parts or which manufacturer. There was a law suit in NY charging a hip replacement center with the drs taking kickbacks if using a Stryker hip model.. Otherwise I would have never known. I had to have every detail serial model # before Stryker would pay for the tests the were ordered to pay the heavy metal test & nuclear cat scan at $3000 every 6 months. I get to swallow radio active icitopes twice a year.. Wow this is really a bionic hip!

they make me sick for a couple of days after... 

I try to spread the word that things do happen more than we know. We trust our dr to do the correct & moral thing. That is not always the case. I found myself in this quite unintentionally just trying to get thru surgery. Yes it is the worse pain ever, worse than natural childbirth. I have done it twice 2 boys well men now.. LOL

i hope u will get past this soon... I can't imagine all the stress this has created for u and UR life. Never give up life is worth the fight. Life is a gift. My glass is half full today... THANKX to U.

hope u have a pain free day! Talk to u later  my fiber friend.

hope, happiness and healing prayers sent UR way.

As long as there is breath there is life.....life is a gift!

20

Well nobody asked, not even myself.  The doctor has a great reputation so there is no doubt in my mind that in one of our sessions he had explained the procedure, it was just ME thinking all the details were not that important and only wanted to get the hips fixed whichever way.  It is only later after reading all the comments from others who were informed with that information, that i realized how little i knew.