An uncommon but critical condition of the body, metallosis results from the build-up of particles of metal within the soft tissues. Upon hearing that definition, one would be surprised as to how that would be possible without one purposefully introducing tiny bits of metal into the internal parts of the body. Well, the reason why metallosis is rare is because it is almost only exclusive to patients who have metal-on-metal joint implants.
These implants are usually made up of either cobalt or cobalt-chromium. These were primarily manufactured to mimic the action of the joints that may no longer function due to old age or arthritis. The shoulders, knees, elbows and wrists are the joints in the body that can be replaced by these metal-on-metal implants. But the most common site for artificial replacements is the hip joint which is where the ball and socket of the hip bone and thigh bone meet. A metal ball and socket is attached to the femur and the hip bone.
Because the joints are where the body moves from, the ball and socket are seldom at rest from moving. The consequence of this is that metal debris accumulates in the nearest tissues as they chip off from the friction of the metal ball and socket. The inability of treating this immediately will have the metal content in the body rise up and scatter all over the body. This is the reason for importantly having to remove the defective metal implant.
To remove the metal-on-metal artificial hip is the only solution to this problem. What this means is that the faulty device has to be taken out at once for replacement. Metallosis might evolve very fast, which means the more you defer action on it, the more it can be painful. The patient will possibly have to endure a period of time of non-productivity and immobility while waiting.
Source: swedish.org/Swedish/media/Blogs/News/Adverse_reaction_to_metal_debris___metallosis_of-13.pdf
These implants are usually made up of either cobalt or cobalt-chromium. These were primarily manufactured to mimic the action of the joints that may no longer function due to old age or arthritis. The shoulders, knees, elbows and wrists are the joints in the body that can be replaced by these metal-on-metal implants. But the most common site for artificial replacements is the hip joint which is where the ball and socket of the hip bone and thigh bone meet. A metal ball and socket is attached to the femur and the hip bone.
Because the joints are where the body moves from, the ball and socket are seldom at rest from moving. The consequence of this is that metal debris accumulates in the nearest tissues as they chip off from the friction of the metal ball and socket. The inability of treating this immediately will have the metal content in the body rise up and scatter all over the body. This is the reason for importantly having to remove the defective metal implant.
To remove the metal-on-metal artificial hip is the only solution to this problem. What this means is that the faulty device has to be taken out at once for replacement. Metallosis might evolve very fast, which means the more you defer action on it, the more it can be painful. The patient will possibly have to endure a period of time of non-productivity and immobility while waiting.
Source: swedish.org/Swedish/media/Blogs/News/Adverse_reaction_to_metal_debris___metallosis_of-13.pdf