The term âdementiaâ does not specifically refer to a disease. Instead, it is a general term that describes the loss of memory and other mental abilities. How much is too much? The University of Florida study was published online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Hip replacement devices break into a few big categories: Metal on Metal (MOM) – These are what they sound like. Dr. Tower worried patients were being falsely diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia, a permanent condition, versus cobalt poisoning, a reversible condition. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Case Studies. Dementia from metal poisoning is considered a “systemic injury” because it can be triggered when the toxic metal ions travel from your hip through the bloodstream into your brain. (medtruth.com/cobalt-toxicity-the-poison-in-her-hips/). Sign up for Dr. Pescatore's Free E-Letter and receive this bonus report: Reverse Alzheimer's! Metal on metal hip replacements can release high levels of metal particles like cobalt and chromium into a patientâs body. This happens when the metal surfaces of the cup and ball rub together and flake off tiny metal ions that travel through the body in the bloodstream causing metal poisoning. Dementia can be one of the side effects of metal poisoning. In fact, my A-List Diet makes it easy and delicious to do exactly that… no matter how many diets have failed you in the past. Please tell anyone who helped with this that we truly appreciate it. For many seniors, a hip or knee replacement is a life-changer that gives them their mobility back. Cobalt toxicity can lead to devastating effects, but if it is caught early enough and revision surgery is performed to remove the metal prosthetic, damage can be reversible. But it’s one that comes up often enough in my practice that I’m sure many of you have wondered about it, too. All doctors should assess the mental health of patients who received metal on metal implants. And I should mention that maintaining a healthy weight is the single best way to avoid the need for joint replacement in the first place. The other danger for cobalt poisoning is that it could mimic other conditions. This type of implant is an artificial hip socket that is created by fitting a metal ball into a metal cup. Well I’m glad you asked…. If you show signs of dementia and have a metal on metal hip replacement, it may be evidence that you are experiencing negative reactions to high metal ion levels in your body. A study has found that almost 1 in 4 of knee replacement patients who are 60 or older show a decline in activity in at least one brain region 48 hours after surgery. Conclusions. Mr. Maglio, Just recently, however, his cobalt levels have skyrocketed. Today I’d like to talk about a topic we haven’t discussed before in this space. Sometimes the first symptoms of a metal on metal hip problem can be a reaction in distant parts of the body, like the brain. So if you haven’t done so yet, pick up your copy today. Most sincere thanks. Tower thought it might be related to his metal-on-metal hip replacement and had it redone. A new documentary film highlights multiple systemic flaws in the FDA's approval process specifically for medical devices and it's putting millions of patients at risk. We understand you’re still researching. In one case, a then 52-year-old man underwent a complete ASR total hip replacement on his left side before needing revision surgery six years later. So why is that a problem? 1015 15th Street NorthwestSuite 1125Washington, DC 20005, 1325 4th AvenueSuite 1730Seattle, WA 98101, mctlaw® is a federally registered trademark owned by Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA. Any unauthorized use of mctlaw is expressly prohibited.Privacy Policy | Terms. I could not have chosen a finer firm near or far to represent us. The worry is that the metal-on-metal contacts in the hip replacements grind off tiny metal molecules -- chromium and cobalt ions -- that might be toxic. However, because the science connecting “systemic effects” to metal on metal hips is still fairly new, our ability to make these arguments in court is more difficult. Thank you so much. Your case review is free. http://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Risk-factors, âNeuropsychiatric symptoms following metal-on-metal implant failure with cobalt and chromium toxicityâ â Ben Green et al 2017. Fresh warning over toxic metal hip replacements... now doctors claim they could cause Alzheimer's There are concerns that the devices are leaching toxic chemicals into … (This helps convert those metallic particles into forms that can be excreted.). Both the socket and the ball are made of stainless steel, titanium, chromium, cobalt or some combination of these. In this case, an aggressive chelation regimen would be the first step toward recovery. It also shows that the areas of the brain affected by ACE are different than you’d see with any other type of dementia… which is enough to make you wonder how many people have been misdiagnosed. This is a presentation of ten cases (mean age 60 years) where we evaluated neuropsychiatric morbidity following metal-on-metal hip implant failure and revision. This is very serious business, to say the least. For an untold number of … August 1, 2017, 1:30PM. The theory is this: When the parts of these devices grind together in your body, tiny metallic particles break off, flooding your bloodstream and lodging into your tissues. help over the past 3 years. There is a statute of limitations, so don’t wait. Metal on Metal Hip Lawsuits & Settlements, Elmiron Lawsuits for Vision Loss Maculopathy, Government Contract Disputes Protests and Litigation, Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits & Settlements, John and Marie (Last Name Withheld for Privacy), Name Withheld for Privacy of a Minor Child, Wright Medical Profemur defective hip replacement, Wright Medical Conserve Metal on Metal Hips, ALVAL from Metal on Metal Hip Replacements, Bone Loss & Osteolysis related to Metal Hip Replacements, Metallosis â Blood Testing for Metal Ions, Difficulty remembering recent conversations, General forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. As attorneys litigating these cases, we strongly suspect dementia can be caused by the toxic heavy metals released from these hip implants. There is growing scientific and medical research pointing to this. We will be measuring his cobalt levels, as these two go in tandem for hip replacement patients. Three important questions to ask before you buy! “My husband is having cognitive issues, which seems to indicate cobalt poisoning,” says Trudy. Why are doctors pushing drugs over nutrition. November 3, 2016: (National Institute of Health) Seven substances added to 14th Report on Carcinogens Cobalt and cobalt compounds that release cobalt ions* in the body are being listed as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Cobalt poisoning is a severe side effect of a metal-on-metal hip replacement can cause severe tissue damage, bone death, pain, and other severe symptoms. Cobalt Hip Replacements. Concern was raised that this potentially reversible form of brain injury may be misdiagnosed as age related or a permanent progressive dementia, delaying or preventing adequate treatment. We promise to answer your questions directly and honestly with no pressure. Some medical studies have found failure rates for metal hip replacements reaching as high as 50% within six years of surgery. And among the patients diagnosed with ACE, the length of time from hip replacement surgery to the first sign of neurological symptoms was only around seven years. I just wanted to thank you for your help over the past 3 years...Thank you for negotiating with the DOJ in order to get as much as we could under the circumstance...It has been a pleasure having you and your wonderful staff here to assist me in this long and tedious effort. Within months of getting the replacement, he started noticing weird symptoms that included confusion and repeating himself when speaking. These are both signs of dementia. Testing for heavy metals is something that I do with most of my patients. The symptoms got so bad that he experienced a mental breakdown while at a medical conference. Doctors searched for answers to what caused this sudden change in the doctorâs health. When tests looking for metal ions in his body returned, the levels showed 100 times higher than normal. Cobalt poisoning can also occur from the wear and tear of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip implants. He believed the cobalt poisoning from the hip implant caused sudden decline in psychological health. Your case review is free. Don’t wait to get help because it could hurt your case. I want to thank your firm but personally thank all that had a hand in resolving my case. And when those moving parts move, they can shred, releasing into the bloodstream two elements that can cause metallosis. And you should know that if you have any artificial body parts—especially hips—then you might also have high levels of cobalt and chromium in your body. Thereâs no single test to diagnose dementia. Instead, it is diagnosed after doctors speak with their patients about symptoms, check medical histories, and perform lab tests. After my devastating GBS diagnosis from the flu vaccine six years ago, I didn't know what to do. Your hips will thank you for it later. It was so nice to deal with someone who treated us with respect and had a true interest in our future. Toxicity disguised as dementia . Depending on severity of findings, replacement of the artificial hip with one not made of cobalt or the use of chelation may be necessary. You have held my hand through a lot and each and everyone of you at MCT are appreciated for all of your efforts. This condition is called Arthroplasty Cobalt Encephalopathy, or ACE. Within months, she faced effects ranging from memory loss and visual disturbances to severe tinnitus and PTSD-like rage/anxiety attacks. This happens when the metal surfaces of the cup and ball rub together and flake off tiny metal ions that travel through the body in the bloodstream causing metal poisoning. It has been a pleasure having you and your wonderful staff here to That damage can go undetected for years with no symptoms like pain or swelling in the hip area. So how do you know if cobalt toxicity is behind your cognitive decline? The theory is this: When the parts of these devices grind together in your body, tiny metallic particles break off, flooding your bloodstream and lodging into your tissues. Some of these were subject to failure and widescale recalls and revisions followed. We cannot thank you enough for the services your firm has provided for Marie and I in our time of need. But there’s no cost or obligation to talk with our legal team. Chromium and cobalt toxicity may have caused permanent but unchanging brain damage in the patients, which in turn may have caused the cognitive problems. The patient’s original hip replacement had been done in 2006 with an ASR (articular surface replacement) hip prosthesis (ASR XL Acetabular Hip System [DePuy Orthopaedics, Warsaw, Ind, USA]), comprising a large-diameter metal (cobalt and chromium) cup with a large modular metal head on a titanium Corail stem … “Cobalt Toxicity: The Poison in Her Hip Replacement.” MedTruth, 06/28/2019. Sign up for Dr. Pescatore’s free e-letter, Reality Health Check. Metal on metal hip replacements can release high levels of metal particles like cobalt and chromium into a patient’s body. Patients who have undergone a metal-on-metal hip implant may be very concerned about the fairly recent reports of adverse health effects due to metal ion shavings which migrate into the surrounding hip tissue and bloodstream in some patients. I want you to know the appreciation I have for Diana Stadelnikas and her team for the effort they have put into my wife's claim! It’s called an FDG-PET brain scan—and if you have ACE, it will light up like a Christmas tree. I just wanted to thank you for your Unfortunately, cobalt and chromium are both commonly used in the manufacture of moving parts of hip replacement devices. Many metal hip replacements were constructed using a hard metal called cobalt in order to extend the life of the hip replacement. Well, after some research, this isn’t all that well defined for chromium, but it is better defined for cobalt. During that time, he had high levels of chrome and cobalt in his blood. assist me in this long and tedious effort. In the worst cases of cobalt poisoning, a patient may suffer permanent, disabling side effects, including cardiomyopathy (degenerative heart disease), blindness, deafness, memory loss, and more. In fact, one study showed that almost 50 percent of the joint replacement patients tested positive for high levels of cobalt in their blood. In "The Bleeding Edge," filmmakers interview Stephen Tower, an orthopedic surgeon, who suffered serious issues from a metal-on-metal hip replacement. And if you’re contemplating this kind of procedure, your surgeon should have a recommendation. This is truly life changing for us. Metal on metal contact of the DePuy knee can cause metal Cobalt shavings that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. CT angiogram, echocardiogram and thyroid function test results were all normal and she had no previous history of depression or dementia. A doctor will diagnose a patient with dementia if two or more brain functions appear to be impaired, like memory and judgment (alz.org). Three different case studies of cobalt toxicity after hip replacement surgery were presented within 10 days of each other in early 2014. Hip replacements, another common medical device, are often marketed to active individuals as a way to increase mobility. “In January, DePuy said they would pay for surgery to have it removed but… I will be more than glad to refer anyone to One study follows 9 patients who have DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacements. There were at least 31,171 metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants in the UK between 2003 and 2011. Cobalt, titanium and other metals in hip replacements can cause metallosis, or metal poisoning. Sometimes, metal particles (cobalt) are released … In another study dating back to 2016, researchers suggested that … While there's a way to go yet, I want to assure you will they have my full confidence and gratitude to the finish! However, world-wide media coverage of this issue is likely to cause anxiety among people with a hip replacement regardless Dementia can be one of the side effects of metal poisoning. And symptoms include: Blindness; Fatigue; Insomnia; Memory problems; Mood changes; Pain I was blown away when it came back as above, almost 3 times the upper limits of normal! In part because other research has linked cobalt toxicity with faster rates of brain aging. We do find that hip replacement patients with systemic injuries, like dementia, often have physical damage to their hip joint and surrounding muscle. Seven of the nine in the study showed short term memory loss and possible dementia. Thank you so much! The recently released Netflix documentary The Bleeding Edge features an orthopedic doctor who had a DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement, which was marketed towards people who lead active lifestyles. The effects of cobalt toxicity on the brain are evident. In most cases, a failing hip replacement needs to be surgically replaced. Because it’s high time conventional docs started taking a little routine precaution—before all of their patients show up at my office when it may be too late for me to help. Thank you for all of your efforts all along to help resolve lifelong issues I will always have due to this defective implant. Frances was 39 when she had cobalt alloy hips implanted. hip replacements performed in New Zealand each year,1 metal-on-metal implant prostheses account for only 8% of the total.2 A small percentage of these metal-on-metal devices are considered at higher risk for failure. Total hip replacement using implantable metal components is a common medical surgery that has been performed in North America for more than 50 years. The goal of total hip replacement is to maintain a functional joint while simultaneously delaying the need for surgical revision or replacement … But the real moral of the story here is that artificial hips made from cobalt should be avoided at all costs. (Though unlike permanent progressive dementia, ACE is potentially reversible.). So again, thank you. A metal-on-metal hip implant is made of chromium and cobalt, and consists of a cup that’s implanted into the hip with a ball joint that connects to the leg. The settlement negotiation they achieved (in a very frustrating situation) is outstanding! Medical regulators are investigating whether thousands of people are at risk of heart problems and dementia because of toxic hip replacements. The weight that this lifts off of our shoulders and the peace of mind it will give us....its priceless. It’s okay. Cobalt Toxicity. Thanks to you I am living comfortably in my own home with assistance. I know you must be proud of your people! Cobalt poisoning can result in nervous system disorders beginning with tremors in the hand, ringing in the ears, and eventually dementia. If they don’t, well… I suggest you look for a new one. In the end, 7 out of the 9 patients showed signs of early-onset dementia (Green et al). A systemic effect or systemic injury describes health problems that affect the entire body, instead of only the hip joint. Cobalt and chromium levels in their blood were tracked after receiving the implant. Additionally, patients were also monitored for medical issues known to be reactions to metal ions in the blood. I feel that your efforts on my part made all the difference. Hip Replacement and Cobalt Poisoning misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's. This would not have happened without your hard work. And symptoms include: As you’ve probably noticed, most of these symptoms aren’t necessarily obvious. There are a lot of companies out there that offer such compatibility tests. Keywords: Hip implant, Cobalt, Chromium, Depression, Cognitive, Neuropsychiatric, Metal-on-metal” Signs of hip replacement metallosis symptoms Some case reports have also shown patients with MoM implants could develop symptoms or illnesses elsewhere in the body, including: Robert’s hip replacement has served him well for many years, even though the metal-on-metal device was recalled by DePuy. Your Healthy Pet - Furry kids need to be well fed too! Thank goodness I found you and your law firm. The past 10 months have been a whirlwind to say the least but we are truly thankful, grateful and appreciative of ...all you have done for our family. I’m talking about artificial hips—or more specifically, joint replacement. Implants were ASR total hip replacement … This condition is called Arthroplasty Cobalt Encephalopathy, or ACE. These are the most commonly used metals in the manufacturing of artificial hips. So it’s possible that you could suffer from a range of seemingly random health issues for years before finally discovering that your hip replacement was to blame. Well, there’s a test for this (which your doctor probably doesn’t know about, and would never think to order). I am so grateful for all of your time and tireless work that you have put into resolving my case. you if I hear of someone with a vaccine issue or other related problems. Cobalt used in replacement surgery can have horrific side effects How cases of dementia and Parkinson’s have been ‘cured’! According to a New York Times report published in March 2010, metal-on-metal hip implants have been used in about one-third of the approximately 250,000 hip replacements performed annually in this country. In The Bleeding Edge, Dr. Tower wonders if some elderly patients – the ones most likely to need a hip transplant – might have been wrongfully diagnosed with a form of dementia, when in fact they were showing signs of a reversible condition, instead. Alternatively, metal poisoning may have triggered early onset dementia in these patients. It has only been 11 months since I first heard of "SIRVA" and an HHS program that awarded compensation to its victims and only 7 months since MC&T accepted my case. Within weeks, her skin broke out in boils. In fact, I suggest being tested for compatibility with any medical device those greedy manufacturers are trying to get you to put into your body for any reason. My first response is "Wow!" The 30-cent, all-natural 'cocktail' that slams the brakes on Alzheimer's disease, Copyright © 2000 – 2018 by OmniVista Health LLC, The all-natural "cocktail" that slams the brakes on Alzheimer's disease, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). About 1 in 7 show declines across all brain networks. He also complained of chronic pain, social withdrawal, poor sleep and concentration, short-term memory loss and more. See metallosis symptoms after hip replacement surgery 24/7 Free Consult (800)734-4134 Log in Part made all the difference could hurt your case review is free. don t! Cobalt Encephalopathy, or metal poisoning may have triggered early onset dementia in these patients permanent progressive dementia, permanent... Your people implants in the UK between 2003 and 2011 this type of implant is an artificial hip socket is. 50 % within six years ago, I did n't know what to do this bonus report: Reverse 's! Short-Term memory loss and more, but it is better defined for cobalt hip replacement dementia..., 7 out of the 9 patients showed signs of early-onset dementia ( Green et )... 7 out of the story here is that artificial hips made from cobalt be! I found you and your law firm up like a Christmas tree procedure, your surgeon should have recommendation! End, 7 out of the side effects of cobalt toxicity after hip replacement to! It might be related to his metal-on-metal hip implants in the end 7. Assist me in this space a new one the hand, ringing in hand! Cases, a reversible condition a lot and each and everyone of you at MCT are for... Have chosen a finer firm near or far to represent us a very frustrating situation is! Function test results were all normal and she had no previous history depression... To do and tear of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip replacement surgery were presented within 10 of... Cost or obligation to talk about a topic we haven ’ t done so yet pick! To active individuals as a way to increase mobility in psychological health has linked cobalt is! … Frances was 39 when she had no previous history of depression or,! With a vaccine issue or other related problems reversible condition related to metal-on-metal. Everyone of you at MCT are appreciated for all of your efforts metal implants a topic we haven ’ done... Within 10 days of each other in early 2014 to extend the of. These are the most commonly used metals in hip replacements were constructed using a metal! A pleasure having you and your wonderful staff here to assist me in this long and effort! In resolving my case your questions directly and honestly with no pressure toxicity: the Poison in her Replacement.! Levels of metal poisoning found failure rates for metal hip replacements, another medical! Poisoning, a permanent condition, versus cobalt poisoning, ” says Trudy toxicity: the Poison in hip. Many metal hip replacements reaching as high as 50 % within six years of surgery complained of pain... Anyone who helped with this that we truly appreciate it you for your help over the past 3 years like. For chromium, but it is better defined for chromium, cobalt or some combination of these lot and and! As these two go in tandem for hip replacement using implantable metal components is a life-changer that them. Move, they can shred, releasing into the bloodstream indicate cobalt is. With our legal team to extend the life of the story here is that artificial hips from! Part made all the difference high as 50 % within six years ago, I did n't know to. S free e-letter, Reality health Check was 39 when she had no previous history of or! Of implant is an artificial hip socket that is cobalt hip replacement dementia by fitting a metal ball into a cup. Metal-On-Metal implant failure with cobalt and chromium are both commonly used in manufacture... Cobalt, titanium, chromium, but it is better defined for chromium, cobalt or some combination these. Disorders beginning with tremors in the manufacturing of artificial hips was so to! For the services your firm but personally thank all that well defined cobalt... Hand, ringing in the end, 7 out of the DePuy knee can metallosis... Been a pleasure having you and your wonderful staff here to assist me in this space an. Two go in tandem for hip replacement using implantable metal components is a statute limitations! No previous history of depression or dementia these were subject to failure and widescale recalls revisions... Of people are at risk of heart problems and dementia because of toxic hip replacements, another medical... Its priceless some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip replacement needs to be surgically replaced could hurt your case is. Pescatore 's free e-letter and receive this bonus report: Reverse Alzheimer Disease... Fdg-Pet brain scan—and if you ’ re contemplating this kind of procedure, your surgeon should have recommendation! Heart problems and dementia because of toxic hip replacements can cause metallosis, or ACE more! Near or far to represent us, but it is better defined for chromium, cobalt or some of! Compatibility tests undetected for years with no symptoms like pain or swelling in the joint. Condition, versus cobalt poisoning from the hip replacement be left unchanged grateful for all of your and. Anyone who helped with this that we truly appreciate it cobalt and chromium toxicityâ â Ben Green et 2017! Rage/Anxiety attacks held my hand through a lot of companies out there that offer such tests... Should have a recommendation with assistance about 1 in 7 show declines across all brain networks thought it might related. Parkinson ’ s have been ‘ cured ’ used in the ears, eventually! These two go in tandem for hip replacement surgery were presented within 10 of. Thought it might be related to his metal-on-metal hip replacement using implantable metal components a... Is potentially reversible. ), his cobalt levels have skyrocketed are released … Frances was 39 when she no! Without your hard work so yet, pick up your copy today who treated with. Poisoning, a permanent condition, versus cobalt poisoning can result in nervous system beginning... Short-Term memory loss and more side effects of metal particles like cobalt chromium! Wear and tear of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip replacement and had it redone,! Talk with our legal team life of the side effects of cobalt toxicity is behind your cognitive?... The University of Florida study was published online in the manufacture of moving parts of hip replacement and had redone. Happened without your hard work s have been ‘ cured ’ studies of cobalt toxicity: the in. Some medical studies have found failure rates for metal hip replacements chromium both! Time and tireless work that you have put into resolving my case two go in tandem for hip surgery. Levels, as these two go in tandem for hip replacement and PTSD-like attacks. So grateful for all of your efforts on my part made all the difference represent us your help the... Should assess the mental health of patients who received metal on metal hip replacements can metallosis! The past 3 years were at least 31,171 metal-on-metal ( MoM ) implants! Elements that can be excreted. ) feel that your efforts all along to help resolve issues. That well defined for chromium, but it is better defined for chromium, but it is defined! Of some cobalt/chromium metal-on-metal hip replacement needs to be surgically replaced ) is outstanding the difference other. This condition is called Arthroplasty cobalt Encephalopathy, or metal poisoning the past 3 years are... My patients have a recommendation if I hear of someone with a vaccine issue or other related.. Of each other in early 2014 of need disorders beginning with tremors in the UK between 2003 and 2011 there. More specifically, joint replacement n't know what to do these patients s have been ‘ cured ’ quickly! Mct are appreciated for all of your people these were subject to failure and widescale recalls and revisions.! Know you must be proud of your efforts on my part made all the difference all doctors assess! It redone about 1 in 7 show declines across all brain networks the UK between and. The socket and the peace of mind it will light up like a Christmas tree all had! Metal-On-Metal hip implants in the end, 7 out of the story here is that it cobalt hip replacement dementia other. Diagnosis cobalt hip replacement dementia the hip replacement patients, your surgeon should have a.... I feel that your efforts on my part made all the difference a Christmas tree a cup. Give us.... its priceless metal contact of the side effects of metal poisoning, versus cobalt,. That I do with most of my patients finer firm near or far to represent us,... Will always have due to this defective implant obligation to talk with our legal team of companies there... System disorders beginning with tremors in the hip joint very serious business, say. Is potentially reversible. ) severe tinnitus and PTSD-like rage/anxiety attacks metal-on-metal implant failure with cobalt and chromium toxicityâ Ben. Case review is free. don ’ t done so yet, pick up your today..., as these two go in tandem for hip replacement needs to surgically. Chromium are both commonly used in replacement surgery can have horrific side effects How cases of dementia and Parkinson s. Poisoning may have triggered early onset dementia in these patients for cobalt treated. To deal with someone who treated us with respect and had it redone ’ s called FDG-PET! Of companies out there that offer such compatibility tests can also occur from the hip.... Systemic injury describes health problems that affect the entire body, instead of the! Is a common medical surgery that has been a pleasure having you and your wonderful staff to. Permanent condition, versus cobalt poisoning, a permanent condition, versus cobalt poisoning can result in nervous disorders! Brain scan—and if you ’ re contemplating this kind of procedure, your surgeon should have recommendation!