I'm very new to the site (today), I wish I'd found it months ago, as had to deal with issues pretty much alone.
I'm one of the unfortunates that has to have a THR following a De Puy resurfacing 5-6 years ago. Both cup and cap have moved, the cup was placed at 45 degrees (computer guided procedure) but now sits at 52degrees (still not extreme but is on the move). The head has collapsed onto the femur and still sits in the moved cup. I understand the surgeon believes bone has died as a consequence of the prothesis.
I had metal ion blood test in 2010 with cobalt being the highest value at only 4ppb. Had another blood test recently and its now less than 2 ppb. I had MRI last Sept which showed a fluid filled area, had another MRI 6 weeks ago, which showed a second fluid area has now developed in less than 5 months.
Much of the advice on the site suggests to expect a correlation between high metal ions and damage. However I appear to have suffered damage despite rather low levels.
I'm due to have a THR this week, my surgeon's preference is a ceramic on poly replacement (wants to use DePuy's ceramic product), I understand that the poly cup insert has a lip on it that would reduce chance of dislocation, and could be particularly useful if he has to take significant soft tissue away. I'm trying to convince him if there isn't too much damage instead to put in ceramic on ceramic. I ought to add I'm only 45, and hope to have the prothesis for a looooong time.
I guess my concern is that even today's poly's tend to shed particles (albeit slower than MoM) and given my body's apparent extreme reaction to seemingly low levels of foreign particles whether I will likely have a similar extreme adverse reaction with plastic, or could it be that I'm just oversensitive to metal perhaps. Is there any way of checking? Any advice greatly appreciated.