When Patients Develop Stryker Cobalt Toxicity

Any patient with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip device implanted in their body can suffer from Stryker cobalt toxicity. Although these two particular models do not implement a metal ball, the use of a metal liner, the metal neck junction and the small metal trunnions located on either end of the neck portion can lead to microscopic cobalt and chromium ions shearing away into the body. When the metal ions lodge in the hip tissues, infection, severe inflammation, bone and tissue loss and chronic pain can occur in the implant recipient.

Stryker cobalt toxicity can occur when those particles reach the bloodstream, causing a number of very serious health issues. Cobalt is not an accumulating metal; it resides in the liver where it is processed out through urine output in those with fully functioning livers. This means that in most cases, when the implant is removed, through revision surgery, the dangerous levels of cobalt should subside, and the symptoms of Stryker cobalt toxicity should lessen. Stryker cobalt toxicity can cause such symptoms as irregularities of the heart, certain types of cancers, chronic headaches, vision and hearing loss, irritability, depression, anxiety, renal and thyroid disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, disruption of DNA and the formation of pseudo-tumors.

Stryker cobalt toxicity is a serious concern among those with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII recalled implant. Recipients of the hip devices may wonder what the safe levels of cobalt truly are.  While some scientists believe the levels of cobalt are not harmful until they reach over 7 parts per million, others believe that anything over 3 parts per million can result in Stryker cobalt toxicity and the need for revision surgery. Further, some implant recipients are more sensitive to heavy metals and, while they may test relatively low for cobalt levels, the patient may have serious Stryker cobalt toxicity symptoms. Others with higher cobalt levels may have not yet experienced Stryker cobalt toxicity symptoms.

Another source of Stryker cobalt toxicity may be linked to the fact that the titanium-coated stem does not mix well with the cobalt and chromium neck piece, leading to excessive corrosion where the two metals meet. Even though Stryker sprayed the pieces with a proprietary formula meant to “cure” the issues regarding mixed alloys, excessive corrosion has been found time after time at the junction where the metals meet. Any Stryker cobalt toxicity symptoms should be reported promptly to a physician, and regular blood tests should be done to monitor the levels of cobalt and chromium.