Hi, I have a problem to solve and I'd really appreciate some input.
I had a hip replacement with cobalt /chromium and ended up with metallosis, bone loss and tissue damage.
My cobalt and chromium blood work values were not terribly high but the damage done was great, - cobalt was 5 time normal, chrome 2 times normal.
My surgeon believes I am sensitive to or outright allergic to these metals.
Fast forward, I need a knee replacement and it's getting done through the VA by a different doctor. The VA surgeon I was sent to wanted to install a Zimmer Biomet Vanguard knee which is a knee with cobalt chromium components and he said it wouldn't be a problem for me because nickel is the metal most people are sensitive to and that there wouldn't be any metal on metal contact to cause any particles of metal to wear off and cause me another allergic reaction.
He also said the vanguard would have or would develop an oxide layer that would protect me. Does this sound reasonable?
My hip surgeon strongly recommended I not get a cobalt chrome replacement and that he thought I would have a rejection.
He recommends the Verilast oxinium replacement with a protective ceramic coating. I halted the first surgery with the Vanguard system and asked for another consult with the VA.
I'm really torn about this. I hurt this knee 40 years ago while in the Navy and it has gotten to the point where I need it replaced. The cartilage is gone from the middle and inside of my knee and nearly gone from the outside. MY leg is bowed and now shorter than the other leg. It's pretty bad and since it is a service connected surgery that's been treated by the VA it has to be repaired by them, my private insurance won't cover it.
I really want this fixed but I don't want to stick something in my body that's going to cause me more problems. Any advice out there? This is keeping me up at night, The worry as well as the pain.
I had a hip replacement with cobalt /chromium and ended up with metallosis, bone loss and tissue damage.
My cobalt and chromium blood work values were not terribly high but the damage done was great, - cobalt was 5 time normal, chrome 2 times normal.
My surgeon believes I am sensitive to or outright allergic to these metals.
Fast forward, I need a knee replacement and it's getting done through the VA by a different doctor. The VA surgeon I was sent to wanted to install a Zimmer Biomet Vanguard knee which is a knee with cobalt chromium components and he said it wouldn't be a problem for me because nickel is the metal most people are sensitive to and that there wouldn't be any metal on metal contact to cause any particles of metal to wear off and cause me another allergic reaction.
He also said the vanguard would have or would develop an oxide layer that would protect me. Does this sound reasonable?
My hip surgeon strongly recommended I not get a cobalt chrome replacement and that he thought I would have a rejection.
He recommends the Verilast oxinium replacement with a protective ceramic coating. I halted the first surgery with the Vanguard system and asked for another consult with the VA.
I'm really torn about this. I hurt this knee 40 years ago while in the Navy and it has gotten to the point where I need it replaced. The cartilage is gone from the middle and inside of my knee and nearly gone from the outside. MY leg is bowed and now shorter than the other leg. It's pretty bad and since it is a service connected surgery that's been treated by the VA it has to be repaired by them, my private insurance won't cover it.
I really want this fixed but I don't want to stick something in my body that's going to cause me more problems. Any advice out there? This is keeping me up at night, The worry as well as the pain.
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