Cobaltism Dangers
Thousands of patients have been negatively impacted by the DePuy ASR hip implants. One such health issue caused by the defective implants is cobalt poisoning (cobaltism). Cobaltism is not something to be taken lightly as it can result in a variety of severe health problems including tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, blindness, optic nerve atrophy, convulsions, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. A recent case report by Dr. Stephen S. Tower, published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, examined two cases of arthroprosthetic cobaltism attributed to metal-on-metal implants. Both patients studied experienced severe health issues after receiving the ASR hip implants.
Case Report
The two patients were 49-year-old men from Alaska who were fit and in good health at the time they received the metal-on-metal arthroplasty with ASR implants. Each patient suffered substantial symptoms associated with cobaltism and required revision surgery. Some symptoms were present after one year such as dyspnea and progressive hip pain. The health issues progressively worsened at two years and beyond, with the patients suffering from more severe cobaltism symptoms like anxiety, headaches, irritability, fatigue, tinnitus, hearing loss, pain at rest, hip creaking, hand tremor, incoordination, cognitive decline and depression. At thirty-six months, visual changes were noted and optic nerve atrophy was found.
Conclusion
The patients mentioned above suffered severe health problems as a result of the DePuy ASR hip implants now under a global recall. The patients were already in good health before the surgery and were expecting to see their health improve further after receiving hip implants. Instead, these patients and countless others ended up with a multitude of new health issues following the surgery. These patients have suffered greatly and deserve to be advised of their legal rights. DePuy ASR Patients with questions are encouraged to contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC to get free information about the DePuy ASR recall and advice on protecting their legal rights.
A partner with Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC,, Brandon Smith has devoted his practice to pharmaceutical litigation, mass torts, products liability and serious personal injury. A frequent guest speaker at legal seminars all over the country—Brandon is focused on helping injured victims nationwide, however possible. Named a SuperLawyer again in 2019, he has also been called out as one of 10 Best Attorneys For Georgia by the American Institute Of Personal Injury Attorneys and a Top 100 Lawyer in Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers in 2019.
One Comment
Sue R.
I have the Zimmer Triology and have numerous medical illnesses since I've had both hips replaced in 2004. I have a cobalt level of 1.1 from a recent blood test & have been told that this is a normal level. I have been undergoing weekly Phlebotomies for Hereditary Hemachromatosis since 2009, could these have lowered my cobalt levels as they have lowered my iron levels?
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