Tags
DePuy, Food & Drug Administration, Health care provider, Hip Replacement, Johnson, Orthopedic surgery, UNited States, Zimmer
Signs Your Hip Implants Are Hurting You
by Bethany Johansson
Our hips are an important part of the human body. A healthy hip not only improves mobility, but can also be crucial when it comes to high quality of life. Unfortunately, over time, many individuals develop arthritis in their hips—which may require artificial hip implantation. While many hip implants last for years, others can become faulty after a few decades’ worth of use. To avoid serious complications, individuals who have undergone hip replacement in the past should be aware of hip pain, decreased flexibility, hip swelling, increased fatigue, and other side effects that suggest your hip implants may be hurting you. This is especially true of specific models of metal-on metal hip implants including DePuy Orthopaedic’s ASR TM total hip system and Zimmer, Incorporated’s Durom Cup.
According to most experts, on-going hip pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with faulty implantation. While this pain may vary in intensity, it often presents as a dull ache—not a sharp stabbing discomfort. In most cases, individuals who are diagnosed with faulty hip implantation experience discomfort in the groin or lower back, in addition to that felt in the hip itself. Individuals who experience this symptom should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the joint.
Decreased Flexibility
Flexibility typically refers to the ability of the human body to move and work in the ways in which it was designed. Unfortunately, decreased flexibility is another common sign that a hip implant may have failed. Individuals who suffer from decreased flexibility years after a hip implantation may also begin to notice that the joint in question is stiff and difficult to move. While flexibility exercises and physical activity may be effective at managing some of the symptoms associated with faulty hip implantation, additional therapies—such as medication use or invasive procedures—may also be required.
Hip Swelling
According to Drug Watch, hip swelling may also indicate potential implantation failure. Depending on the severity of the failure and on-going complications, the severity of the swelling may be quite variable. In most cases, the sooner that hip swelling is identified in patients who have undergone this procedure in the past, the better the final results of provided health care. Consultation with a nurse, physician, or other health care provider during the early stages of hip swelling may mean the difference between prescription medication use and invasive surgery—which in some cases, may be life threatening.
Increased Fatigue
On-going fatigue is a chronic health condition affecting many individuals living in the United States, and for that matter, the world. While fatigue is an everyday occurrence for some people, it may also be a sign of a more serious health problem, such as the failure of a hip implantation. Experts agree that a change in sleep habits is one of the best indicators of hip implantation disturbance or disruption. Those who have noticed a change in their ability to fall asleep or stay asleep over the past few weeks—and cannot identify a legitimate reason for the fluctuations—should seek medical assistance as soon as possible for rapid treatment and care.
About the author:
Bethany Johansson is an avid health writer and landscape photographer. To learn more about her, please visit her on Google+
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Mary-anne said:
That was really interesting. I have had a terrible sleep problem for over a year now, with no explanations. I know my 18 year old MOM hip is failing and is soon to be replaced, but I had no idea sleep was a factor, and extreme fatigue..I thought it was just me. thanks so much for that info its putting all the little things in place that confirm to me my hip needs redoing.as 2 other surgeons i saw basically told me it was in my head.
earlstevens58 said:
Funny how all surgeons seem to be experts in psychology. In your head. That is crazy in itself. It should be mandatory for all surgeons to experience their own operations. Their perspective would change and they might be a little more understanding!
Mary-anne said:
Thanks for your reply. I saw 2 surgeons, and told them that I had palpitations, sleep problems, constant urinary tract infections and a host of other things, not once was I told my hip was MOM so how could I have made it up, it wasn’t until I got a blood test done for cobalt and chromium did it suddenly click into place. I still wasn’t told I read the path request form. While my levels are certainly not as high as many people it was still 3 times higher than the normal high range,,then the hip is 18 years old and I can barely lift my leg to clear a step.And still they didn’t listen,
I just don’t understand this, and was basically told to go away and have a happy life.
When I saw the third surgeon he sent me for an injection of local anaesthetic into the joint, and depending on that result was the next stage. I was 100 % pain free, so it was coming from my hip, any way I have rambled on enough it’s being redone on April 16 th in Brisbane.
earlstevens58 said:
That is amazing that you have lasted so long. Unfortunately many surgeons in Brisbane don’t want to know about metal on metal and would rather blame the patient. But there are some good honest ones out there too. It will be a huge relief to get it done. I had mine revised at Pindarra on the Gold Coast by Angus Nicholl. He is an excellent surgeon and a great guy to talk to as well.
Mary-anne said:
I had 15 years of perfect wear, out of my hip…it started being a pain 3 years ago, in fact I think it’s stopped the other side from being its best, as that one dislocated twice 2 years ago. I am going to have this one done by Prof Ross Crawford. At Holy Spirit. Never been there and only met him twice. Bit of a worry…
I don’t know that Doctor Angus Nicholl but I will remember him should I ever be in this position again.hopefully not. Are your hips ok now ?
earlstevens58 said:
Prof Crawford is the best! He is an angel. He is the one who has been sorting out Stuart Cain’s DePuy problems! You have the best! It will be such a relief. I stopped felling sick as soon as the operation was done. Palpitations are gone. Still have ringing in my ears. Hip is very good. Not perfect but damn near! Left hip only has about 30% of its cartilage left and so is not a happy camper but I am trying to get another 6 months out of it!
Mary-anne said:
Thanks Earl, I have had quite a few conversations with Stuart, and he has assured me Ross will do his best, so I feel quite relieved now. However I am still scared, he wants to remove the stem, the previous surgeon 2 years ago didn’t remove it. I do understand his reasoning for doing so, as when I had my shoulders re-done, the surgeon had to remove both stems in the shoulder, the parts just didn’t fit well and I didn’t have a very good range of movement. Now I have ended up with reverse shoulders, but fabulous range of movement.
Of course infection is my huge concern, this is my 14 th joint replacement and so far so good…I don’t want to change that,
I am sure that even though my levels aren’t dangerously high, why wait until they are and causing so many problems like Stuart is facing..I am sure the fatigue will go also.
Thanks so much for your support, I feel a lot better tonight. I don’t like to keep hassling Stuart he has been great, but is still struggling. Wish I could help…
earlstevens58 said:
That is great! You will be fine. I had everything removed even though it involved splitting the femur and two bone grafts. It is best to get rid of the old as after so much time it will be loose and releasing metal ions too. Mine was loose. This way they will be matched and way better. Otherwise you would be back having it replaced shortly. Infection will not be your problem. The antibiotics they use are wonderful. I found the revision was easier to recover from than the original replacement. Don’t know why but I felt so much better and coped much better. You will be very pleased once it is done!
Earl
Mary-anne said:
yes he did say he would have to split the bone. any way whatever it takes to make it better.thanks for your support and Stuart’s also.
earlstevens58 said:
Sounds like you will have the same hardware as me then!
What hip is he putting in – mine is a Zimmer ceramic on ceramic revision hip – I have been very pleased with it.
Earl
Mary-anne said:
you won’t believe it but I forgot to ask him, I will e-mail them and ask, but he said he has never used MOM so that’s reassuring.
earlstevens58 said:
No he never has. Stuart told me that.
Mary-anne said:
I can’t believe I didn’t ask him, I guess I went in there thinking he might not do it, so the. Question wasn’t on my radar. Maybe he can’t tell until he get inside and has a look etc.my very first hip was ceramic on ceramic, it only lasted 8 years though. So long as it works and isn’t MOM he is the expert not me, I have no clue what is best now,…
earlstevens58 said:
Ok. I am sure he knows.
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hbs924 said:
Unfortunately there are only a few cases in the courts re: Smith & Nephew’s Birmingham Hip. The obstacle is the existing pre-emption laws.
I believe there is one case that has made it to a second level in court. Perhaps there is a judge that is looking beyond pre-emption and realizing Smith & Nephew’s BHR is a criminal and thus not be protected by the pre-emption laws.
If this isn’t bad enough the statute of limitations adds more pressure to humans in filing a case or having no case due to elapsed time.
This is just total unacceptable bullshit. I guess if Smith & Nephew robbed a bank they would get away with it due to political immunity !!!
It is up to all that have been hurt by this device to get on your politicians backs for support, remember you voted for them to protect you in a debacle like this.
This isn’t justice it is another reason for skepticism and non belief or faith in our judicial system.
Respectfully
Howard Sadwin