Joint Replacement Case Review Form

Accepting clients nationwide. Our attorneys will evaluate your situation to see if you have a legal case.

Name

Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

Date your hip was implanted

Brand of hip implant

In what city and state was your hip implanted?

When and how did you discover the problem with your hip implant?

Date your implant was or will be replaced?

Describe how the problems with your hip implant affected your health.

I have read and understand the terms and conditions:

Cobalt and Chromium Poisoning in DePuy ASR Metal on Metal Hip Implants

Patients with recalled ASR hip replacements should be aware of metal poisoning from their implants. Your doctor will most likely test your blood for metal toxicity. This blood test is critical, even if you don't have any symptoms or physical issues with your ASR hip. Here's why: The friction from the metal cup and stem rubbing together can cause small dust-like metal particles to break off and spread through your body and bloodstream. In high enough levels, this metal metal chromium cobalt hip recall debris can cause various medical problems.

What Is Considered A High Level of Chromium and/or Cobalt?

It's important to remember that slightly elevated metal levels are normal for patients who have metal on metal hip implants, but excessively elevated levels are very alarming. DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. has released a report stating that concentrations greater than 7 parts per billion of cobalt and/or chromium are of concern. The Mayo Clinic has a set of different reference values for blood serum testing, listed below.

High Chromium Levels:

According to the Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories, "blood serum concentrations greater than 1ng/mL in a patient with Cr-based implant suggest significant prosthesis wear."

High Cobalt Levels:

The Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories also reports that "cobalt is not highly toxic, but large doses will produce adverse clinical manifestations. Toxic concentrations are greater than or equal to 5.0 ng/mL. Serum concentrations greater than 10ng/mL in a patient with cobalt-based implant suggest significant prosthesis wear.".

Interpreting The Results

Laboratories, research studies, and other reports about metal ion release often use different measurements. That makes it confusing for patients to compare and understand their own test results. The good news is that most of these measurements are equivalent and represent the same thing: 1 ppb (parts per billion) = 1 μg/l = 1 ng/ml

Symptoms of Metal Poisoning

There may be NO SYMPTOMS at all. You may have cobalt toxicity or chromium toxicity from a hip implant, but not realize it because often there are no immediate physical signs. The long term damage that these metals can do to your body is significant, so the earlier you get treatment, the better. Here is a list of basic symptoms :

COBALT POISONING SYMPTOMS

Gastrointestinal Problems
Neuropathy (nerve damage)
Thyroid Problems
Kidney Failure
Skin Disorders
Hemorrhage
Pulmonary Syndrome

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CHROMIUM POISONING

Most medical problems have been linked to Hexavalent Chromium
Elevated Cancer Risks
Reproductive System Problems
May Cause DNA Mutations
Impaired Liver Function

What Should I Do If I Have Elevated Metal Levels?

You should get another blood test within three months of the first one. If the second blood test shows a concentration of cobalt and chromium still above a safe level, your doctor will likely recommend a MARS MRI and/or ultrasound and more testing.

You should also contact the DePuy ASR Hip Recall Alliance for a consultation on your hip implant case because there is a time limit to file a claim in the recall. You can contact our offices by filling out the form on the right side of this page, or call us toll free at (877) 284-6600.