One Woman’s Stryker Metal on Metal Poisoning Symptoms

One doctor detailed Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms among his patients; a representative case was a woman in her early seventies who suffered a variety of Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms following her Stryker hip implant three years prior. The woman suffered such Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms as neurological disorders (including cognitive decline) memory difficulties, depression, a continuous taste of metal in her mouth, severe headaches and mild levels of groin pain.

Although an x-ray showed a well-aligned implant, blood tests showed astronomical levels of cobalt and chromium—above 240 parts per million. The woman had experienced a cerebrovascular episode a year earlier, with Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms similar to a stroke: dizziness, disorientation, nausea and vertigo.
Because of the extremely elevated cobalt and chromium levels, a revision surgery was performed. Eight weeks following the revision surgery, the Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms dramatically decreased. The patient regained a normal appetite, her fatigue was gone, as was the metallic taste in her mouth.

The symptoms of cognitive decline appeared to have halted and even be reversing and her energy levels increased. The serum cobalt level had dropped from over 240 parts per million to below 60 parts per million—still considered extremely high. Because cobalt does not accumulate in the body, however, the Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms will generally continue to lessen as the kidneys excrete the metals. The Stryker ABGII and the Rejuvenate were recalled in July, 2012, at which time Stryker noted a higher-than-normal failure rate due to excess levels of corrosion and fretting leading to metal ion debris being released in the body. Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms can follow, including: 

·         Cardiovascular, renal, thyroid and neurological issues, including cardiomyopathy

·         Anxiety, depression and irritability

·         Diminished vision and hearing—or in some cases, total loss of vision and hearing

·         Gastrointestinal disorders

·         Skin rashes

·         Vertigo and other balance issues

·         Short-term memory loss

·         DNA disruption

·         Formation of certain cancers

·         Pseudo-tumor formation

·         Reproductive disorders

Those with a recalled Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII who have experienced Stryker metal on metal poisoning symptoms should see their physician regularly as well as having blood tests every three months to measure levels of cobalt and chromium. It can be beneficial as well for recipients of recalled Stryker hip implants to speak with a knowledgeable Stryker attorney in order to determine what their options are.