Smith and Nephew hips that have NOT been recalled

Specialties Orthopaedic

Published

Specializes in Assessment coordinator.

Hey, all you ortho nurses! I am an MDS Coordinator. (It's ok if you don't know what that is-it's a specialized job for nursing homes and SNF's-I push paper and do case management.) I need your help. I have a Smith and Nephew hip placed in Nov. 2007. In July 2010 I started having lots of clicking and popping, and did not worry about it at all. Finally a Physical Therapist friend of mine insisted I make an appointment with my surgeon. (november, by then.) The x-ray was fine, but he suggested that I have some blood work sent to a special lab in Canada to test for cobalt and chromium. Well, 12 weeks later, he called and said he needed to see me. My levels are, in his words, "alarming," which I felt described it pretty well when I saw them myself. Ten times the "acceptable" level for auto workers. Naturally, I am scheduled to have the metal on metal ball and socket removed, replaced with titanium and ceramic. (March 29):idea:

My question is: How did he know to test my blood. He is sort of acting like I am the only one he has seen, but he says this happens in people with smaller bones, i.e., mostly women.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am only 56 years old, and I need to work for another 14 years, before I can retire. AM I THE ONLY ONE? REALLY? Please let me know if you have seen this in your practice. This is a full hip replacement, not a partial, and as my surgeon said about ten times today, it is NOT ONE BEING RECALLED.

Need your input, ASAP

Thanks.:redpinkhe

S. Thomas RN, RAC-CT

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Specializes in Assessment coordinator.

Update, Made it through surgery. This is WAY Worse than the original surgery. Too much pain to imagine. Anesthetics did not wear off for 5 days, then went to the ER with excruciating pain and was treated as a drug seeker.

My hospital roommate had same surgery, older woman-same problem with cobalt/chromium. She will be SIX WEEKS NON wt bearing. Guess I'm lucky?

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

The blood tests are to see if you have any blood bound metal, which would indicate breakdown of the component. What kind of anesthesia did you have? 5 day duration sounds l o n g e r than most post ops. If you had developed tendon tightening or adhesions in the wound area they would have to be freed. You need to ask your doctor, there are too many variables to even guess.

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Specializes in OR.

We frequently implant titanium & ceramic hips, better for longevity, etc etc... I bet you will not be looking back..

Good luck with your new hip!!!:w00t:

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