A type of artificial hip implant where both ball and socket are made of metal are now considered to be more of a hazard than was previously considered to be the case.

These implants were withdrawn from the UK market in 2010 following a Medical Device Alert.

It is now considered that up in 50% of these patients the implant will require to be replaced within 6 years. In addition there is a possibility that chromium and cobalt from the implant may leak into the bloodstream and cause problems in other parts of the body.

HEALTH WARNING OVER HIP IMPLANTS

COUNTRY: UK

“Medical regulators are drawing up new advice for more than 30,000 Britons who have received “metal-on-metal” devices because of fears that they are even more dangerous than previously thought, a Sunday Telegraph investigation has found.
Problems occur with such devices when friction between the metal ball and cup causes minuscule metal filings to break off, which can seep into the blood and cause inflammation, destroying muscle and bone.
There are also concerns that the fragments could put the nervous system, heart and lungs at risk of being slowly poisoned.
The problems have been found to affect people of all ages but studies have found young and petite women are particularly at risk.

Please read DISCLAIMER by clicking on LEGAL tab above

© Dreamstime.com