Hip Re-vision/ Metallosis
Posted , 7 users are following.
Welcome All,
My hip story started when I was 43 years old. I'm not going to go about pain and many other details here because we all have/had very similar situations. All enough then after long battle in Dec 2008 at the age 49 I received Cormet Hip Resurfacing (MoM Titanium) in my right hip (head size 2.40mm and femur 46mm).
Fast forward with my story... At that time nobody told me that I have to check my blood for a heavy metals in my system. I never received any re-calls none information's or not any warning regarding system poisoning. My previous surgeon never came forward with anything.
In March 2016 at the age 57 I had my left hip done(full-ceramic on ceramic) so my current surgeon told me about massive MoM problems and ordered blood test plus MRI on my right hip. Actually from time to time hip was making some noises - squeaking but I never suspicious any series issues.
Blood results came back very bad. I was diagnosed with "pseudo tumor" and Metallosis (Cobalt was elevated to 964 and Chromium to 396).On July 07/2016 I had Revision surgery done. Currently I'm on recovery process from right full hip replacement (ceramic on ceramic).
Looks like for all this years since 2008 my system was poisoned...WOW maybe why since 2010 I experienced different health issues like"mysterious" rushes on my body. Nobody can diagnosed what cost that problem. I had lots of tests done. I visited many specialists with no results(finally problem disappeared itself).
What I'm looking for is to contact people from Canada who have/had similar situation then mine to open Class Action against Corin Company or maybe Stryker who was distributor in Canada.
I posted this on Face book us well but I had no responds from anyone from CA.
It seems kind of wired that nobody in CA(accept myself), have/had Cormet by Corin implant? As a matter of fact there is very little information regarding Corin Company. I found very few articles about them on US website so seems like they are very well protected. There is Class Actions against other manufactures in CA but Corin.
I spoke to few lawyers regarding this so advise was to found more people to go forward with any action.
Do anyone here have some advise in this case?
Thank you for listening
Grace
0 likes, 16 replies
linda38528 Agra4466
Posted
Hi Grace,
What a sobering post and horrible experience for you. I can only offer sympathy and best wishes for others to come forward to strengthen your case. Again - my sympathies. This should not have happened. Unfortunately the evolution of technology is so rapid that surgeon's hope to incorporate new 'best' technology or equipment even though longterm followup research is lacking.
I hope your case is successful even if it cannot give you back the years and resolve the frustration you must be felling.
Warmly,
L
Agra4466 linda38528
Posted
Hi Linda38528.
Thanks for your replay& sympathy.
The problem with MoM implants is not only mine. Lots of people around the World have the same or even worse problems. People from US, Australia, UK and other countries. There is tones of Class Actions going against different manufactures who generally was responsible for distributions. I'm just surprised that know body in CA is not coming forward with anything. It is not possible that everything here was perfect!
Regards
Grace
linda38528 Agra4466
Posted
The system should get better though as compliance with the Cdn Joint Replacement Registry becomes mandatory across all provinces. I wonderif that centre would permit use of their data to follow-up with those registered as receiving this model?
Best wishes,
L
Agra4466 linda38528
Posted
Think is I don't know where to look for more information. Honestly is really question mark if CA Joint Replacement Registry will permit to realise any information regarding Corin Company(they are from UK and implant was distributed by Stryker).I'm pretty sure they have all details who and how Corin get the permission to distribute to Canada. You have to have a lawyer to go forward with. All research regards cost tones of money that why many Law Firms suggesting to go by Class Action to lower cost by more people attending.
Hospitals realise operation report only if you specifically ask for it in writing. There is not any details on your discharge papers so many people they don't know what they getting. They believe to their doctors.
Agra4466 linda38528
Posted
When in September you are going in? I will be thinking and praying for you.
Good luck
Grace
renee01952 Agra4466
Posted
dear Grace,
I totally echo Linda 's response and thank you for posting ...
Please stay in touch with us and let us know how it goes. ..
God bless
big warm hug
Renee
Agra4466 renee01952
Posted
I will. Currently I'm looking for more people in Canada to came forward. I posted on few forums on Facebook but only people from US, Australia ,UK or from different countries responded but no one from CA. Strange! Maybe there is some different way to get more information's or different forums I don't know about it.
patsy63 Agra4466
Posted
Dear Grace... just a check because my last message to you didn't send!!! Patsy
patsy63 Agra4466
Posted
OK Seems to be working now!!
Dear Grace, Sorry you didn't get my last reply, especially if you knew how slow my typing is. I have some information for you, but first a little bit about what happened to me.I had a THR following a failed hip screw repair to a break. I became very ill over time and was evenrully on 'end of life' pain relief. No one knew what was happening until I collapsed and a MRI found a psuedotumour, I had a plasic cup but a cobalt chromium head and titanium stem. These 2 reative metals had created a battery effect , changing the PH of the fluid around the joint to Hydrochloric acid. This in fact happens to every hip with that combination. Some people react more than others. The head was black pitted and corroded after not quite 2 years. Its called Galvanic corrosion, look it up on line. I wont go into the very long story of the further 5 operations, now7 in total! but needless to say I have lost two thirds of each muscle group and have been left in a lot of pain and disability. During this time I looked into taking things further, but couldn't find anyone to take my case, because I had a plastic cup and was not one of the types going through the courts now, I was told I had a case but mine could 'muddy the water' for the others! Fast forward a couple of years, my last surgery, march2016 showed that the original stem had been put in at 45 degrees, thats 30 dregrees from where it should be. During my research I found that anything placed in the body does not have to have prior testing and only now are there registers to monitor hips. I thought I recognised your Prosthesis and found that Leigh Day are currently taking cases like your forward. They are in the UK but I wondered if they could point you in the right direction in Canada. It's Jill Paterson dealing with Cormet hips. Phone no. [UK number] 02076501219. Might be useful. So sorry youve been through this....it's so tough. Good luck and lots of hugs PatsyX
linda38528 patsy63
Posted
An amazing story Patsy. You have my every sympathy for the horrible experience of this - which you are still living!
There are several parts to this aren't there? The lack of oversight until recently; the practices regarding implants more generally; the gross incompetence of the initial surgeon; the horrible effect for you - experience; and the physical and mental impact on your life overall.
And the ultimate insult that your case might muddy the waters. 😠😨 I am truly impressed with your matter of fact way of relating years of pain and suffering.
How are you managing now with all the damage? And how did you find the strength to trust the surgeon for the revision (s)?
And ... your calm, willingness to help others who have been shafted. Bravo and huge hugs.
L
patsy63 linda38528
Posted
Oh Linda, your message made me cry.....Believe me I'm no saint, there are days when I just want to lash out, not a side of myself I like very much! However, this wasn't the start of my story, 2 years before I broke my leg I went to my local hospital for a small Gynae. repair. The surgeon messed this up so badly, it damaged my bladder and bowel, causing me to have urine infection for 15 months that eventually became anti biotic resistant and I had to have 4 more surgerys to put it right! What I'm really angry about is that I have recently met a young woman with 3 children who is in a bad way from the treatmrnt from my first surgeon who messed up the hip screw. I also know of others who have had poor treatment. I don't know if your in the Uk, but it seems that consultants do not have to be reassessed at any time and it's up to the individual if they keep up to date with clinical skills and proceedures. Even if you have a Clinical negligence claim against one, it is dealt by their insurance company, I'm not sure the hospital is informed. It's a rubbish system.
I struggle with pain, even with large amounts of morphine. I hate the fact that my husband has to do so much for me....he's the real hero. The impact on family and friends. I used to love cooking and entertaining, gardening, it is hard to see that overgrown. But I also used to paint and exhibit in London, as well as some teaching. It took a long time to develop my work and acceptance into galleries. I've got a wonderful studio that I look at everyday but can only manage to stand for a little while to work. I think my current consultant is amazed thatI'm walking at all with so much damage.....sheer bloody mindedness.,so I'll keep on with the physio and who knows where I'll be in a years time. There are a lot of youngsters on this site that have been through a lot and I really feel for them. Simply reading these posts have shown the massive difference in treatments, and aftercare people get, even from the UK. There is a Prof. Tim Briggs who is rolling out a scheme called'get it right first time'. Think it's going global.
I would just stress to the folks that have had sucessful hips to look after them, they're not as good as the real thing and revisions are hard.
I hope your recovering well, not sure where you are now, I have read your posts but my morphine brain is fuzzy. I hope we hear back from Grace because she has had a tough time. Much love Patsy X
PS If anyone is having problems I have also encountered a lady who was allergic to the metal in her hip!
linda38528 patsy63
Posted
Okay ... now I am crying in sympathy for you and your family - what a horrible time you have had.
Kudos to your husband too for all he does to keep you and your family going.
I dabble a little in painting but truly simply to play and I am no where near the skill level you have but it gives me a lot of pleasure. I hope you persevere with your work - for the enjoyment of it, for the enjoyment of others and because you cannot let this be destroyed by all that happened.
I live in Canada and I naively thought that there is more oversight through the College of Surgeons and Physicians and hospital review boards. I did a quick search after your reading your response and most efforts appear to focus on the initial certification process although there is a system for voluntary continuing education through which physicians and surgeons gain addition credentials. I also see that there are efforts to implement surgical checklist processes which are showing promise for performance of the team and patient outcomes.
I must say that all of this makes me even more determined to research any further interventions or health professionals needed. Although my surgeon for thr Feb 2016 is doing my next hip in September and I am exceedingly happy with him and the more more I hear from other patients he has had, I gain even more confidence. He even provided me with a copy of the operation report to share with my GP and to ensure I have all the info needed relating to the model and surgical process of the hip replacement.
This certainly doesn't help you though. I hope it wasn't insensitive to speak of my good fortune. I hate hearing of stories like this (Agra, Sarah and way too many others). It isn't even just the trauma of the injuries done, but the feeling of helplessness you must all feel in a system that does not appear to have enough transparency about its failures (system or individual).
Please channel your emotions into your art, and live a full life despite all this. I hope you find peace with all of this.
Deep Peace of the running wave to you.
Deep Peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep Peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep Peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and Stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep Peace to you and your family.
(A favourite of a 'Newfie' Sister of Charity who chaired the board of directors for the foundation at which I worked for many years. She has a deeply musical voice and Newfoundland accent which makes her delivery of this downright magical).
Agra4466 patsy63
Posted
Hi Patsy,
Thank you for respond. First of all take my deep sympathy for what you had or have to go true.
I truly understand your trauma I really do. Unfortunately nothing we can do about it but be sorry and sympathetic for each other!
My story also not ending on this what you can read on my first post. I had more but never had been proven as related to Metallosis. All enough happened at the same time and when metal constantly poisoned my system.
- In April 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer(was in early stage). I had mastectomy done (no chemo no radiation).I was lucky that I had clean lymph nodes & I had very big margins'.
I do not have family genetic history regarding cancer. I know statistics show many women don't have any history and they end up with breast cancer like myself (but what the coincident?)
- After that I had 2 other surgery to "re-built" my body (breast reconstruction from my own tissue & breast reduction)
Oh I don't want to bother anyone by my "fantastic" health story anymore... Hopefully this re-vision surgery will be last "renovation "
I had done on my body!!!
I'm recovering quite nicely, accept first 2 weeks when I was completely drag out by morphine or tylenol#4. It was awfully painful...!
Patsy ,Thank you so much for contact you provide for me. For sure I will call Mr. Paterson to found out about Corin. W'll see what information I can get? I definitely let you know.
God Bless You
Thanks again
Grace
patsy63 linda38528
Posted
patsy63 Agra4466
Posted
Hi Grace, It's really difficult to know what sort of impact these things have on your body. So sorry to hear about the breast cancer, what an awful time for you. So pleased that it's resolved now. Let me know how your doing and if you have any progress with your claim. Thinking of you Paysy X