Adverse Health Effects from Metal
Toxicity
Any
time two metal surfaces come into contact with one another, corrosion can occur
in the form of tiny metal shards shearing away from the implant and lodging in
nearby hip tissue or entering into the bloodstream. Extreme inflammation,
chronic and severe pain and destruction or death of the tissue can result from
those tiny metal ions. Should the metal shards enter into the bloodstream,
metal toxicity can occur. Every person will respond differently to varying
levels of toxic metals in the body—while some people may have serious adverse
reactions to relatively small amounts of metals in the body, others may not
have any overt reactions until the levels are extremely high.
For
this reason any person who has had a metal-on-metal hip implant should receive
regular monitoring to check for metal toxicity. In many cases symptoms of metal
toxicity will not show up for several years following the initial hip implant. Medically
documented effects from excess metals in the body include cardiovascular
issues, kidney and thyroid problems and even disruption of DNA. While not
formally medically documented many persons with metal toxicity have noted an
inability to distinguish between sweet and salty flavors, a noted loss of
memory and neurological functions, dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders,
hearing loss and vision disturbances, to name a few.
The Largest Medical Device Failure in
American History?
The
US Drug Watchdog believes that metal-on-metal hip implants are possibly the
largest medical device failure in American history. They believe that over half
a million U.S. citizens have received these metal-on-metal hip implants and
while many of them have already suffered adverse effects, many more are like
ticking time bombs, just waiting for the metal toxicity to adversely affect
their health. Although metal-on-metal implants were designed with a goal of
lasting fifteen to twenty years, their failure rate has dictated that they
actually last many fewer years than hip implants made of ceramic or
polyethylene.
Not a “True” Metal-on-Metal Implant yet
the Effects are similar
While
the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII are not considered “true” metal-on-metal hip
implants (unlike the DePuy metal implant which places a metal ball and socket
in direct contact with one another) the design of the Stryker implants have
resulted in many of the same issues. Even though there is no cobalt and
chromium ball and socket rubbing against one another, the necks of the Stryker
devices are made of cobalt and chromium, the stems are coated with titanium and
there is a metal-on-metal junction which can lead to the same type of shearing
off of metal shards. The risks of metal toxicity in the Stryker hip implant
models are significant. Adverse tissue
reactions to the heavy metals which have entered the body are known as
metallosis and can result in severe pain, loss of mobility, complete failure of
the hip joint, pseudo-tumors, bone dissolution, and even chromosomal
abnormalities.
When Stryker Hip Implants Fail
Many
of the Stryker Rejuvenate hip implants have shown total failure in less than
five years post-implant. Those who must undergo hip revision surgery will
encounter not only extremely high medical expenses but will also be subjected
to an extremely difficult surgical procedure which is not known for positive
outcomes. Because the neck of the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII is deeply
implanted into the femur, removing it can be very tricky. Many of those who
undergo revision surgery after having a Stryker hip implant find themselves
with extremely limited mobility and in some cases are left unable to walk at
all.
Getting the Help You Need
Those who have undergone hip implant surgery
with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII should first make an appointment to see
their doctor. Your health is the most valuable thing you have in life, and your
physician will be able to assess whether or not you have suffered adverse
effects from the Stryker hip implant and whether you are a candidate for
revision surgery. Following your doctor’s appointment it is crucial that you
seek out a highly qualified Stryker hip recall attorney who can assess your
specific implant facts and determine whether you should file suit against
Stryker. Because of the varying statute of limitations from state to state you
don’t want to wake up one day to find your health has been adversely affected
by a Stryker hip implant yet you have no recourse because the time limits have
run.stryker abg ii recall | stryker rejuvenate modular recall
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