Cobalt Toxicity: Is Your Hip Replacement Poisoning You? | Stephen Tower | TEDxSanJuanIsland

[@FrancesScottFurryandFree]

Dr. Tower has huge courage and is in a great person.

[@rosemarieatoruk2417]

Dr Tower gave me the ability to walk after living all my life without the ability to walk without falling. Dr. Tower worked on me when nobody else would.

[@juliemosz6647]

I received a screw and metal fracture repair plates after a car accident and then a few years later in 2017 ended up in ICU for 2 months with lung effusion. I almost lost my life due to sepsis I just was not recovering, until someone suggested I get a metal levels blood test. Mine was also through the roof. My family doctor advised me to remove my metal plates and screws and after the operation I started to finally get better. We decided to send away my screws and plates for testing at a lab and the screw from my right arm was found to be 3rd grade not even close to the quality that is safe for medical use. I told this to the orthopedic surgeons that treated me and they were evasive about it and made like I was insane… somebody is covering for someone

[@andrewarcher2773]

14 years after my MoM hip resurfacing and 3 replacements later I am in so much pain some days - like yesterday - that I sit down and wait to faint. What a debacle.

[@racebannon2332]

I’m a surgeon and although resurfacing sounds more ideal, I’ll go for a full hip replacement rather than invite metallosis. The components are ceramic on x-linked polyethylene.

[@andrewarcher2773]

And avoid mini stems please - just stick to a tried and tested Exeter cemented stem or similar @@racebannon2332

[@californiadreaming567]

I need my knee replaced but I have metal allergies for nickel and titanium. I am so grateful to hear what you are telling me about cobalt. Thank you

[@catitude4]

I have severe nickel problems too.

[@bristolpomeroy9465]

Excellent presentation, my mom has had her hips replaced around the same time this doctor did. He doctor just told her of shockingly high cobalt in her Irvine test. She told him about her hip replacement and he is now doing further tests to determine if she needs to have her hips changed. She has many physical ailments and cognitive issues that the doctor thinks are like directly linked to her joint replacements that are poisoning her basically. Thanks you for this talk, very helpful

[@AnnD2023]

I had my first hip replacement done 12 years ago. I needed them both replaced. As soon as I left the hospital I wanted to schedule my second hip to be replaced. because I was so excited to feel better and become physically active again. They obviously told me I needed to wait and heal before I scheduled the second hip. The pain that was left after my replacement never went away and I was always contemplating whether I should schedule the second one. Several years later I attempted to start the process thinking that my first hip was a fluke and the second one would be better. I was unable to complete the MRI needed because of claustrophobia. This year the pain was so intense I had to do it and with the help of medication I completed the MRI and had my hip replaced. I spoke with my doctor about the continued pain in my first hip (again) and he always down played it saying my hip that he replaced first wasn't really that bad and that he thought my pain issue was because I had two prior "repair" surgeries that he believed caused a lot of soft tissue damage. He wasn't super interested in me having an MRI to check it because he said the x-ray looked good. He did order lab work though because I told him that his nurse had mentioned to me earlier that some of his patients had issues with the hardware that he had used in the past and that now he uses a different replacement. Well today I got back my Cobalt test results and my number is way above the acceptable amount. I'm in shock. It's been 12 years and I have MANY of the possible complications from this type of poisoning. I'm so upset and don't know where to begin. The research that I've done so far is all terrible and I'm so pissed. If he knew some patients had complications with the device he had used in the past he should have notified every patient and asked them if they had any issues. Where do I go from here? Obviously I need to have it removed and I'm so exhausted from being in pain all these years.

[@WalkerOne]

I am so sorry to hear your journey. Thank you for sharing. Is there an update?

[@AnnD2023]

@@WalkerOne I’m having the hip replacement removed in November. But other than that I’m kind of lost. I can’t find a doctor including my integrative medicine primary care person who has much knowledge about cobalt poisoning. I have so many symptoms that could be from it and I’m very concerned and want to know what types of tests I should have done regarding heart, brain, etc.

[@eayrkma]

Was his a total hip replacement or was it hip resurfacing

[@Linda-oi4pj]

@@AnnD2023I’ve had 4 hip replacements and an currently doing a metal detox. I had very high levels of cobalt/chromium.

[@deatramoore841]

Hi Dr. Tower , Thank you for sharing your story and educating us . I had cobalt (17) chromium (6.1) poisoning in Nov 2018 from a partial knee replacement .My Orthopedic surgeon denied me a qualifying ( ACL tear , BMI 38- 39 , OA in 3 compartments , 100% bone on bone ,patellar chondromalacia and subchondral sclerosis and complex meniscus tear ) total knee replacement . Ignored FAILING PROSTHETIC warning signs . Three opinions later NOV 2019 total knee revision ( polyethylene dislocated found in soft tissue . Continued suffering from physical and emotional pain !

[@JenLester]

I just recd my cobalt levels back today and my test showed 24.6. From what I'm reading online, that's a very bad number. I had a metal on metal hip done in 2010.

[@KimberlyKelly2000]

Thank you for making this information available ❤

[@kwolfak3636]

I have only a part of my knee that is Cobalt, I have developed Autoimmune Arthritis, depression and anxiety and brain fog. I’m having a revision, should be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

[@MatthewElvey]

Let us know!

[@TheRealOman]

I'm having some horrible symptoms from a metal on metal hip implant and wanted to know if you felt better after you're revision surgery.

[@angelaparsons5117]

15 years on and my 68mm colbalt MOM has totally failed, again listing so many of the same symptoms as the kind doctor has mentioned, The NHS have tried hard to cover it up and sweep me under the carpet, still waiting to have the metalwork out, it’s been a disaster

[@WalkerOne]

How are you doing today?

[@mickeymorgan]

I got Tardive Dyskinesia in May 2008, after getting a Smith & Nephew BHR in late 2007

[@theallergyclinicireland3253]

Thank you for telling your story! Incredible 👏

[@WalkerOne]

My question is what about titanium?

[@deatramoore841]

forgot to mention , he placed a single stitch in my MCL along with VMO /Tendon repair. ALL along with the partial knee replacement .Two knee replacements within one year as a Lung Cancer Survivor with Lumbar Disk Disease .

[@blue03r6]

This is what you get for trusting doctors and medical companies

[@kaylacarter_higgs5742]

If you are still on I'm in the same place you was it's been almost two years since my replacement and it's excruciating pain

[@lilyrichardson2695]

Dr. Tower. Thank you for giving this talk and posting it on KZbin. I am in the process of getting a new hip -- doing research and found these facts about hip implant allergies, etc. So, I am trying to figure out what type of hip implant I want -- one that is safe. Can you tell me what you recommend? Thank you so much. And thank you for your bravery. I really appreciate it.

[@eayrkma]

Ceramic an poly

[@markzajac9993]

So I am wondering, is the problem only with metal on metal joints or any part that is made with cobalt?

[@bluewave7120]

Absorbtion will be greater with metal to metal contact due to wear of the contact surfaces Any exposure of cobalt above the safety guideline is an unacceptable risk

[@lesliejrogers]

I have a failed total knee replacement and metallosis. I have tinnitus, rashes, allergic-type responses to many different substances, I’ve had lense replacements, shingles, Bell’s palsy, balance trouble, emotional health problems, peripheral neuropathy, rapid aging, and brain fog. My implant was not metal on metal. It was a Stryker implant and was placed in 2013. My implant is mal-aligned, and presents as severely bowed. Which doctors are experienced surgeons with training in revision of a total knee replacement, in Washington state? Who treats metallosis? Is there a detoxification treatment recommended?

[@kimlarson761]

What about titanium?

[@rodneyevans964]

Be interesting how many have passed on.

[@jantherrien4424]

Thank you for your story and research. I have two total knee replacements and both shoulders along with spinal fusion from t8 to L5. Cobalt levels are very high and chromium level is extremely high. I managed to get these tests done at a walk in clinic. I am beyond I'll and have lost use of my left arm. With all this and proof of blood levels I cannot find a doctor who will even accept a referral. Do you have any suggestions of how I can get help before the toxicity kills me?

[@frederikbojsen-mller5430]

Anyone having issues with a metal on plastic hip?? Not alot of info about them either.

[@WalkerOne]

I have the same questions

[@dreamstimesto]

Dr Tower I am living in Houston and have every symptom from cobalt poisoning and am having hip resurfacing in 1 week . I want to find a doctor here to help me with the metaltosis or cobalt levels. Can you or anyone help me?

[@ratemyboard]

I have cobalt toxicity and doctors just tried to put me on antidepressants. Since it hasn’t helped they thought I doubled the dose twice. They refused to test me for heavy metals so I had it done through a private lab. BEFORE YOU GO ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS GET A COMPREHENSIVE METALS TEST OF HAIR SAMPLE!!!!

[@feliciabarrett9647]

I need to talk to you... My cobalt is 8.4 I have 2 mom hip replacements and many problems

[@skibbydweez2647]

It’s a growing epidemic 😷 in itself

[@rodneyevans964]

While the victims die.

[@leedeschamp1008]

....... 😳

[@moonglow1158]

You go to Africa to fix a fracture but you will not remove my cobalt shoulder in the U.s. .

[@mdevorah6833]

Heavy metals are so bad! Your lucky your alive! Yet again J&J - they really are about profit and shareholders only! Discusting!

[@racebannon2332]

As a surgeon I would avoid metal on metal. Ceramic ball and cross linked polyethylene acetabulum are the standard today.

[@MatthewElvey]

I have tried to get my heavy metal levels checked many times. A couple doctors refused to order the test, and then a third buckled and ordered one. (I wanted to have a proper mainstream lab do the test, as I have reasons not to have confidence in the work of labs that don't do CLIA-certified tests.) I went to the UCSF lab and gave a sample. The lab it was supposedly sent to (one of the near duopoly) didn't send any results back. I gave a sample again. Again, no results came back. C hit, and I have yet to get any results; the lab order expired and the doctor has moved on. Coincidence? Context, FYI: I had been eating a lot of chicken bones, not knowing that they were a known source of heavy metals and shouldn't be eaten. (Broth is fine, FYI.). I was more concerned with lead than cobalt. But I wonder if other folks have found merely getting tested to be like pulling teeth!

[@TheRealOman]

Did you stop eating chicken bones?