Hi I posted in this category under "sonogram reveals fluid" if you want more of my details.
I also have groin pain (right) and a high chromium level at 19.6 (2.1= normal according to my surgeon). I have been emailing with Dr. DeSmet (Belgium) and have forwarded those email threads to my surgeon. He agreed with almost everything DeSmet said and today my physician's response was that he thinks that most likely my pain is a reaction to wear particles. He then went on to say that there are now clinical studies and new data out of the Australian National Joint Registry and that of the UK that there are more revisions (to thr) with smaller head sizes and now my surgeon will only do resurfacings on people with head sizes 46mm or higher. I currently have a 42mm.
What I have learned from my surgeon who was recently speaking along with Dr. DeSmet in New York: We now know that pts with small head sizes have a higher propensity for wear based on the tolerances of the components themselves and reduced arc of coverage of the smaller acetabulum. The other issue is that most small females have a certain degree of dysplasia in the hip resulting in a higher anteversion angle of the cup. He goes on to say that this is especially true when following the original BHR teachings of Dr. McMinn of keeping the anterior lip of the cup covered with bone to avoid psoas tendonitis.
So I guess I am one of the unlucky experiments. I will know Thursday not if but when I will get my right THR. I am sure my left one will also have to be done...
I sure wish that this was information was known before I had my first surgery in August 08!!!!