Dr Stephen Tower talks about hips and MoM problems
This is a one hour talk.
Consumer’s Union had Dr Steve talk last month at Columbia School of Journalism.
It covers a lot of ground not only about the metal-metal hips but about hip replacement in general.
I am in the process of watching it myself and so can’t give you a big review here – but please post your thoughts and comments below.
Earl's View 
Although a bit “scattered” the information is excellent and parallels my issues. Any information is appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
I have a Cormet hip and have had nothing but problems out of it. I had to have it replaced after only four and a half years.Thanks to the FDA I have no recourse against this company. Something that THEY came up with called the 501 K process.
Dr. Tower is our only hope. What a debacle the MoM hips have caused. Smith and Nephew need to step up and recall theirs. The FDA needs to get it out of the 501 K classification and get on the side of the patients. This whole thing is unbelievable.
There seems to be very little information on the results of revision after removal of the ASR XL. Eg. Infection, mobility, levels of chromium and cobalt. There was also no mention of replacing just the ball and socket and leaving the femoral component. What are the risks of c and c leaking from this original component. I cannot find answers to any of those questions. Also how many people have had full recovery and how many are still disabled. Would be very interested to find out. We hear about the disasters, but not the normal results. I have no pain unless I do to much activity, but I am permanently disabled, is this considered success, questions questions and no answers.
Thank you Dr. Tower
The politicians aren’t interested in learning the TRUTH about metal hips or this may not have ever happened.
The FDA made a terrible terrible miss take in approving these devices, especially in the case of their PMA approval of the Smith & Nephew Birmingham Hip Resurfacing Device (BHR) They took the word of a single foreign investigator, inventor, employee of Smith & Nephew when approving a device that is proving to be harmful, much more than the acceptable 1% failure rate of the manufacturer.
The FDA states they will continue to collect data on this matter, yet each day goes by folks stand to increase the amount of damage this device can cause, it is responsible for leaving me crippled for life amongst other health issues.
Respectfully
Howard Sadwin
I cried while watching this and I’m angry! I have had/ am having every symptom of Cobalt toxicity mentioned. Dr Tower took words out of my mouth describing them and describing the reasons why he had metal on metal surgery in the first place. I’m sitting here in pain, recovering (hopefully) from surgery to fix a fractured femur that occurred after my 6th hip replacement surgery in 5 years. My surgeon is one of the “Rockstars”
I think I want to go to Alaska to see Dr Towers
Angry does not even begin to describe my feelings! Dr. Tower is 100% correct! Was 6’4″ 214 pounds in 2007 with years of chronic back pain and was thrilled when I finally had a doctor determine a worn out right hip was the cause. I got suckered into a Biomet Magnnum M2A MoM. Finally after 6 years of misery, it is out of me. Unfortunately during that time frame I started having or getting chronic lung embolisms and did not even know it. Lungs are now full of scar tissue and now at 50% breathing capacity and doctors say no reversal. Revision was done and had a dislocation in the middle of the night with nobody around after 8 weeks. Took 1 million tears and two hours to make it 6 feet to a phone for 911. I’m now 6’4″ and 175 pounds using night oxygen. Working hard to regain some strength and weight. Hip revision seems to be coming around but now my breathing restricts every activity I ever enjoyed. The FDA is a total “pay for play” big government agency. Contact your Senator or Congressman about the FDA and they will pretend to be concerned and finally someone with a lobby group will get to him. Then they don’t even pretend, you are back on your own. Guarenteed! Money talks!