{"id":353230,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/cobalt-toxicity-and-other-metal-hip-replacement-side-effects.html"},"modified":"2025-09-02T15:40:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T20:40:41","slug":"cobalt-toxicity-and-other-metal-hip-replacement-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/cobalt-toxicity-and-other-metal-hip-replacement-side-effects.html","title":{"rendered":"Cobalt Toxicity and Other Metal Hip Replacement Side Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Metal Hip Replacements: Side Effects, Injuries and Recalls<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Metal hip replacements have caused serious complications such as implant failure, metallosis, and cobalt toxicity. These issues have led to painful symptoms, revision surgeries, and product recalls.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Metal hip replacements were initially developed to be more durable than plastic or ceramic options, but other issues have surfaced. High failure rates, serious side effects from metal debris in the body, and complications such as cobalt toxicity have caused widespread harm to patients. These issues have prompted recalls,\u00a0lawsuits<\/a>, and action by government regulatory agencies.<\/p>\n

As of May 2016, no metal-on-metal total hip replacement devices have been approved by the\u00a0U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/a>\u00a0(FDA) for marketing in the U.S. This has\u00a0effectively removed them from the market, although\u00a0two FDA-approved metal-on-metal hip resurfacing devices are still available.<\/p>\n

This article provides an overview of cobalt poisoning and other metal hip replacement side effects. You’ll also learn about product recalls and lawsuits related to these implants.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing symptoms of metallosis or other health issues due to a metal-on-metal hip joint replacement, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal rights if you’ve been injured by a medical device. Discuss your options with a\u00a0product liability attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you today.<\/p>\n

What Is a Metal Hip Replacement?<\/h2>\n

Manufacturers first designed\u00a0metal hip replacements<\/a>\u00a0to improve upon plastic and ceramic hip prostheses. The hip joint is commonly called a “ball and socket” joint. As a person moves their legs, the femoral head (ball) at the top of the femur (thigh bone) grinds against the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis.<\/p>\n

The hip joint necessarily involves significant friction between the femoral head and the acetabulum. Patients whose hip joints become diseased\u00a0or damaged\u00a0by\u00a0osteoarthritis<\/a>\u00a0 or\u00a0strenuous physical activity\u00a0can develop hip pain and mobility problems. Many turn to hip replacement surgery as a solution.<\/p>\n

Metal hip implants were once the wave of the future. While most patients who choose hip replacement surgery are over the age of 50, the promise of longer-lasting replacement hips proved attractive to younger patients as well.<\/p>\n

The resulting boom in hip replacement surgery has made it one of the most common surgical procedures. In the United States, orthopedic surgeons perform an estimated\u00a0544,000 hip replacement surgeries<\/a>\u00a0each year.<\/p>\n

Patient Injuries: Implant Failure, Metallosis, and Cobalt Toxicity<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, metal hip replacements have high failure rates and can cause\u00a0serious health complications<\/a>. Many patients have suffered serious complications from metal hip replacements. Some of the more common problems include implant failure and metallosis (metal poisoning), including cobalt toxicity. Let’s take a closer\u00a0look at each one.<\/p>\n

Implant Failure<\/h3>\n

Most patients who received a defective metal hip replacement will likely require\u00a0hip revision surgery. Hip joints naturally involve considerable friction, which can cause components to wear and eventually break. During hip revision, the metal hip is removed and replaced with a\u00a0safer model. Revision surgery carries its own risks, including possible infection and nerve damage.<\/p>\n

Hip revision patients must also undergo an additional period of rest and recuperation after surgery. That may require patients to take time off work, undergo physical therapy, and incur expenses not covered by\u00a0medical insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cobalt Toxicity<\/h3>\n

Many metal hip replacements were constructed using a hard metal called cobalt in order to extend the life of the hip replacement. As hip replacements fail and metal flakes enter the body, patients can suffer from\u00a0cobalt toxicity<\/a>\u00a0(elevated cobalt levels).<\/p>\n

Besides the symptoms associated with other forms of metallosis, cobalt toxicity can cause patients to suffer from fever, inflammation, and low thyroid levels. Some patients have also reported:<\/p>\n