Heavy Metal Poisoning, A Potential For Defective Depuy Metal-on-metal Hip Implants

One of the many complications reported after DePuy Orthopaedics Inc

. recalled its Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip systems was the hip implant metallosis. The several lawsuits that were filed against Johnson & Johnson, DePuys mother company, contained among its several allegations, metallosis. Several of these lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation under Judge David A. Katz of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio who called for a status conference ofthe DePuy hip replacement lawsuit this month .

A patient could suffer from pain and potentially dangerous side effects if he has the hip implant metallosis which is the metal poisoning of cobalt and chromium in the soft tissue. The heavy metal build-up, particularly of chromium and cobalt, in the tissue is allegedly caused by the defective design of the metal-on-metal (MoM) ASR hip implants. Several orthopedic specialists said that they believed that the design of the ASR cup, which is shallower than some similar devices, was at the heart of the implants problems, according to an article published in the New York Times.

DePuy had intended a wider range of motion for patients by designing a shallower cup and removing the plastic liner from the inside of the implant. The friction of the ball portion of the hip implant against the socket instead wears away cobalt and chromium particles from the device and into the soft tissue around the area leading to metallosis.

The DePuy ASR hip implants use heavy metals cobalt and chromium because of their strength and anti-corrosion properties. The presence of these heavy metals at a low level in the body is considered safe, however, elevated levels could be toxic for patients as it could lead to both cobalt and chromium poisoning. In cobalt poisoning, experts consider any blood serum concentration at or above seven micrograms per millilitre to be dangerous.

Symptoms of cobalt poisoning are:

Cardiomyopathy

Neuropathy

Kidney failure

Thyroid problems

Gastrointestinal problems

Haemorrhages

Optic nerve / vision problems

Deafness

Experts at the Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories believe that even low levels are concerning--"blood serum concentrations greater than 1ng/ML in a patient with Cr-based implant suggest significant prosthesis wear," although no concentrations have been established to be considered as dangerous levels for chromium poisoning.

Symptoms of chromium poisoning may include:

Acute renal failure

GI haemorrhage

Impaired liver function

Increased risk of cancers

The two complications could be diagnosed via a regular blood test. Affected patients would need to undergo a revision surgery to remove the defective implants which is causing the poisoning. In the face of the grave danger that the defective implants pose to a patients health, the ASR hip replacement recall seemed inadequate.

by: Katherine Russel

POST COMMENT

Tooth Implants: A Fresh Advancement Inside Dentistry Asr Manufacturer Avoided Initiating A Recall For Implants Fda Prodded To Monitor Artificial Hip Implants Tooth Implants Made Possible, By Most Advanced Technology Patients With Metal-on-metal Hip Implants Highly Susceptible To Metallosis The Best Contact Lens Implants Australian Patients Affected By Failed Asr Hip Implants Reached 430 Dentistry Implants For Patients Affordable Dentist Implants Benefits Of Acquiring Denture Implants All On 4 Implants: A Comprehensive Look At A Breakthrough Surgical Protocol, Part 4 About Denture Implants Five Tips For Clean Oral Implants