Caring Medical
& Rehabilitation Services
715 Lake Street, Suite 600
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
708.848.7789 Phone
708.848.7763 Fax

Metal-on-Metal Joint Replacement Problems

Joint Replacement and Heavy Metals

We have talked at length about the dangers and complications involved with joint replacements. While there are certain cases when a joint replacement is necessary, we believe there are far too many joint replacements being performed, especially when Prolotherapy can save a person from a joint replacement. From joint replacement recalls to necessary revision surgeries and failed artificial joints we urge most people to seek a Prolotherapy evaluation before taking the drastic step in replacing a joint.

Chromium and Cobalt Poisoning from Hip Replacements

One danger in joint replacement is the wearing away of the all-metal joints that lead to heavy metals leaking into the blood.  We recently had a client whose blood chromium level was 25 times the normal range and whose blood cobalt level was 13 times the normal level. His doctor thought these were from some of his joint replacements. We did some further investigation and found that heavy metal toxicity is common among joint replacement recipients.

The Journal of Orthopaedic Research published a four-year study of cobalt and chromium blood levels in 259 patients with one of two types of all-metal hip replacements. All the patients had higher cobalt and chromium levels compared to the control group. And even worse than our patient mentioned above, this study showed cobalt concentrations up to 50 times higher and chromium concentrations up to 100 times higher than the control group. Both types of hip replacements showed evidence of wear debris production by the implants. The study concluded that patients managed with metal-on-metal hip replacements should be carefully monitored to catch any local or systemic complications early on1.

Danger of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Why should we be worried about heavy metal toxicity? Because it can cause a whole host of serious problems - visual impairment, cardiomyopathy, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment, hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, and rashes.Some cases of cobalt poisoning have reported blindness, deafness, heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, rashes, and hypothyroidism2.

Joint replacements can be avoided with Prolotherapy, an injection therapy that stimulates healing in the body to regenerate cartilage and soft tissue. It is our belief that it is harmful to put unnatural substances in the body. Metal is an unnatural substance and now metal-on-metal joint replacements are causing people much harm. If you have been given a joint replacement recommendation we urge you to get a second opinion and consider Prolotherapy. Our Prolotherapist, Dr. Ross Hauser, has much experience in regenerating degenerated joints. Contact us today to learn more or visit our blog, Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

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