If you have experienced any pain or decreased hip function approximately 3 or more months after your metal on metal hip implant surgery, you should follow up immediately with your doctor. The doctor should check for local swelling or masses and assess you for any cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine or renal changes.
North Little Rock, AR -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/04/2013 -- If you have experienced any pain or decreased hip function approximately 3 or more months after your metal on metal hip implant surgery, you should follow up immediately with your doctor. The doctor should check for local swelling or masses and assess you for any cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine or renal changes. You are considered a higher risk if you have bilateral implants, are female, receiving corticosteroids, have renal insufficiency or suppressed immune system, are overweight, or are very active. Other symptoms can include hypersensitivity, loosening of the hip implant, infection, aseptic lymphocytic vasculitis associated lesions, soft tissue mass, bone fracture, cardiomyopathy, neurological changes, renal impairment, or thyroid dysfunction.
The orthopaedic doctor may consider other diagnostics for soft tissue imaging for recipients of metal on metal hip implants, such as: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography Scan (CT), or Ultrasound. Some patients with a metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant may have elevated metal ion levels (e.g. cobalt and/or chromium) in their bloodstream. Measuring the metal ion levels is necessary. At this point, the FDA recommends metal ion testing of anyone that develops any symptoms that their hip implant is not functioning properly.
A patient with a metal on metal hip implant who exhibits symptoms, such as those previously listed, is more likely to visit their general practitioner rather than their orthopaedic surgeon, who originally performed the hip implant surgery. Therefore, it is extremely important that all health care providers are made aware of your metal on metal hip implant and the fact that your current symptoms could be a direct result of metallosis caused by your metal on metal hip implant.
If you are the recipient of a metal on metal hip implant, contact Law Offices of Lisa Douglas today. http://www.LisaGDouglas.com
If left untreated, the above conditions could become chronic and even debilitating. Get the Help you deserve. Lisa Douglas, attorney at law, has been licensed as a Registered Nurse for over 2 decades. Your case is evaluated at no cost to you, we are ready to offer free consultation with no obligation. http://www.HipReplacements.us
Law Offices of Lisa Douglas
2300 Main
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114
(501) 798-0004