Tags
Alternative, Biomet, Health, New Year, Southern California, Stacey, Stacey Slater, UNited States
Stacey‘s Story
Just found your Blog and have to answer “Is there some good news amongst the bad” and the answer is a resounding NO.
My Biomet Magnum has caused horrific complications from metallosis.
My chromium was 20 and cobalt was 17.
Both were many times higher than the accepted rate, and my symptoms are severe, even after a revision.
I have numerous problem with the hip but the vision and hearing changes continue to worsen.
Please don’t think this is an acceptable device, and please don’t let your readers think it’s what they should have put in.
It’s hell to live with and I probably can’t have another revision, so my problems with the Biomet will be ongoing for life.
I am 50 yrs old and that stinks!
Earl's View 
Stacey, you are absolutely right it stinks, and that is being polite. One day I was playing baseball with my 8 year old grandson, after undergoing multible surgeries,10 months in the hospital etc. etc. my grandson is now pushing me in a wheelchair. The cause metal on metal hip revision, the product, not the surgeon is responsible for total devistation to my life. So, I feel qualified in saying to you I know what you are going through. Only those who have or are going through this can understand what you are saying.
The only way we can see this doesn’t happen to anymore people is by being heard by people who are responsible for writing laws that have allowed this to happen. You must go beyond your story and get to the people in politics that can change the laws that have allowed this to occur. if you or I don’t then nothing will change,until another medical device debacle occurs.
Take all the anger you feel inside and direct this energy towards making this system work for the health and well being of humans first and Market Share and Finances second.
This takes a lot of guts on your part, however by doing so you will feel better knowing that you and everyone else suffering from mom hips has helped change laws to protect us from this happening again.
This will reqiure work on your and everyone else part; but it must be done, and it must be done by everyone suffering.
Respectfully
Howard Sadwin
I am convinced that there is far too much big money involved and nothing is going to happen for the good….anytime soon. Have BioMet Magnum 56mm head and it was problematic soon after getting it back in 2007. Now on my 4th orthopedic specialist in Colorado trying to get back to walking without severe pain. My legs are now going to hell because I can’t walk or exercise. There is no doubt in my mind I need revision but all these doctors attempt to diagnose as a natural bone failure. Now have had five x-rays and amazingly they all say they don’t see a problem. Now am going through a maze of testing for symptoms and problems that have resulted. They are either ignorant, scared or CYA before a formal recall. Have high deductible insurance and now have met that deductible three years running and still not seeing an end to this nightmare! Surgeon asked last Monday if I was worse than before the original surgery! I said give me back my original failed hip!
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I’m so sorry to hear about your story, even more so because it forces to me to face the reality of my situation. In only 37 yrs old & just found out that the (only 4 yr old) Biomet Magnum replacement I have is failing…AND that my cobalt & chromium levels are 54 & 35 (respectively). I too have to have a revision now. While I don’t feel very young, I know that I have way too many years ahead of me & now I’m afraid of what those years will look like, not only for me but my 2 young children & husband!!
Stay Strong!!
I underwent L THR back in late 2005 after having R THR in 2001 by the same surgeon. The first hip is great. The second has been a problem from the outset. I’ve lost my career, most of my retirement, gone from a happy marriage to a divorce, and I live in constant pain 24/7. My surgeon maintains that “my hip is perfect” and has not helped me ONE IOTA with my disability issues.
What I’ve endured can be summed up like this: Two neuro surgeries that did not help, two spinal stimulators that did not help, at LEAST 25 various pain blocks, and I currently take 14 different medications including more than 400 mg./day of OxyContin/Oxycodone supplemented by Fentanyl Oral “lollipops”. The pain is unbearable at times. I’m only 51 and my life has been destroyed.
I have the Biomet Magnum MOM device. One more important item: When I am in severe pain, I can barely stand to even lightly touch the site of my incision. The flesh in my thigh feels “deeply bruised” and my Femur POUNDS like a toothache.
Please…please! Can anybody help me? I cannot continue living this way.
Hi Scott
I can fully sympathize. While I have now had a successful revision, my life was like yours. I am 54 and two marriages down.
Do you have the ability to get a second opinion? Have you had your metal ions measured?
There seem to be a lot of Biomet law suits. Have you spoken to any lawyers?
Earl
Unfortunate is an understatement for what has happened to those who have posted. I have a keen understanding of the Biomet MoM implant and know that the manufacture and your surgeons offered this implant as an excellent option for each of you after careful testing and trials showed its efficacy. There are other far more common and likely obstacles to avoid when having hip replacement. One is dislocation. It has been proven that the MoM is superior to other options available. As an active person I would have chosen the Magnum for its excellent dislocation resistance combined with its impressive ability for range of motion. Like any product, not everyone will have the same experience with them. This product has been implanted in thousands of patients with far more excellent results that have changed lives for the better. But go ahead and call your attorney; it’s the new American way.