Metallosis is characterized by the build-up of metallic debris in the body’s soft tissues. This condition can be caused when the metallic components of medical implants, such as joint replacements, wear against one another causing metal particles to break off. When metal particles around the metal-on-metal implants damage the bone and/or tissue around the joint, it is sometimes referred to as an adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR) or an adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD). These reactions to metal debris can cause a joint implant to become loose or painful, and a revision surgery may be necessary.
Metallosis can also cause metal ions from the implant or particles to get into the bloodstream, which may result in symptoms or illnesses elsewhere in the body, including the possibility of cancer if the metal implant contains cobalt or chromium. This is called cobaltism, and this condition may include adverse effects on the heart, nervous system and thyroid gland.
Symptoms of metallosis include:
- Pain in the groin, hip or leg (for hip implants) or around the site of the implant
- Pseudo-tumors (a mass of inflamed cells made of collected fluids that resembles a tumor)
- Rash
- Osteolysis (destruction of bone tissue)
- Systemic effects related to metal hypersensitivity
DePuy Hip Implant Recalls
The FDA announced a recall of DePuy ASR total hip system products in August 2010. This recall was based on new, unpublished data obtained from the UK joint registry, which indicated the revision rates within 5 years were approximately 13 percent. Shards of metal from the DePuy ASR total hip system have been found to grind off, causing metallosis and resulting in increased levels of the dangerous metal ions.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love was fitted with an artificial joint, only to experience failure of that device or symptoms of metallosis, contact our office. We will listen to your story and explain your legal rights and options. You may be eligible for compensation for the physical, financial and emotional losses you have suffered as a result of your defective hip implant.
About Ted Oshman
Ted Oshman has been with The Oshman Firm since 1988 serving clients for over 25 years. Learn more about Ted's background and featured practice areas here.
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