Adverse Local Tissue Reaction or ALTR

Call Now

Schedule a Consultation

What is Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR)?

ALTR stands for “Adverse Local Tissue Reaction,” and it’s a type of inflammatory response that can happen in the hip joints of people with Metal-on-Metal (MoM) hip implants.

Some symptoms of ALTR are similar to an infection, like swelling and collections of fluid, but ALTR is not an infection at all. Rather, ALTR is an immune reaction to the metal debris floating around in the surrounding tissue.

What Causes ALTR – Adverse Local Tissue Reaction?

The parts of a MoM hip replacement rub against each other during regular daily use. This causes tiny metal particles to scrape off the implant and enter your body, leading to health consequences, such as ALTR.

When harmful metal debris flakes off the implant, it can trigger your immune system, which causes an intense inflammatory reaction in the tissues surrounding the MoM implant. This inflammation is what doctors call Adverse Local Tissue Reaction or ALTR.

Find out now if you have a defective metal hip injury claim

Your case review is free. Find out how to preserve evidence in your case.

Call Us Now

Free Online Case Review

Symptoms of ALTR

No two cases of ALTR are quite the same, so the symptoms vary from person to person. In fact, some people experiencing ALTR do not feel any symptoms at all. That being said, there are warning signs that you may be suffering ALTR. These warning signs include:

• Pain in the hip or groin
• Popping or clicking in the hip
• Squeaking in the hip
• Lumps in the hip or groin
• Swelling in the hip or groin
• Vision Loss
• Hearing Loss
• Ringing in your ears
• Kidney malfunction
• Dementia or Cognitive Decline 
• Depression and/or Anxiety
• Heart Problems

If you have an MoM hip implant, and you have suffered from any of the complications or symptoms listed above, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor because your implant may be the cause.

Additionally, you should contact a law firm with experience litigating MoM implants because you may be entitled to compensation.

Mctlaw has focused its practice on defective hip replacement cases for over a decade, and we will represent you at no cost unless we recover money from a verdict or settlement.

Common ALTR Complications

Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR) has many potential complications. According to a study published in the Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research journal, patients who received an MoM hip revision due to ALTR, “experience worse patient-reported outcomes, inferior survivorship, and more complications when compared with patients receiving MoM implants who were revised for reasons other than ALTR.” (Galea, et al.).  Speak to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed below.

If left untreated, ALTR can cause the following conditions:   

• Bone Loss (Osteolysis)
• Muscle Loss
• Bone Death (Osteonecrosis)
• Bone Fractures
• Infection
• Loosening of Implant Components
• Pseudotumors
• Metal Poisoning (Metallosis)
• Fluid Collections Around the Joint
• Implant Displacement
• Dislocation

According to a study published in the Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research journal, patients who received an MoM hip revision due to ALTR, “experience worse patient-reported outcomes, inferior survivorship, and more complications when compared with patients receiving MoM implants who were revised for reasons other than ALTR.” (Galea, et. al).

Risk Factors

Anyone with a metal-on-metal hip can develop ALTR. However, there are certain factors that can increase the risk of ALTR. Some of the risk factors are:

• Patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements in both hips
• Patients with total hip resurfacing systems with femoral heads less than or equal to 44m diameter
• Women
• Patients prescribed corticosteroids
• Patients with kidney (renal) problems
• Patients who are immunocompromised
• Patients who have metal hypersensitivity
• Patients with a BMI greater than 40
• Patients who participate in high levels of physical activity

How is Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR) from Metal on Metal Hip Replacements Diagnosed?

The process for diagnosing ALTR is complicated because no two cases are alike. In general, however, the following methods might be used to help determine if a patient develops ALTR from a metal on metal hip replacement:

• Blood metal ion level tests
• MRI imaging
• X-Ray Scans
• Ultrasounds
• Clinical Exams (discussing symptoms with your doctors)
• Tissue Samples

How is Adverse Local Tissue Reaction (ALTR) from Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements Treated?

In most cases, ALTR is treated with hip revision surgery. During revision surgery, your doctor will remove the damaged or loosened MoM implant and replace it with a new model, typically made of different material combinations. In addition, your surgeon will remove any tissue that has decayed or been damaged as a result of ALTR. 

Other Reactions Related To Metal on Metal Hips

Content Reviewed by Michele Stephan – Medical Product Liability Lawyer

Michele Stephan handles defective medical device cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Ms. Stephan has represented clients in civil litigation for over 20 years.  At mctlaw she litigates cases for clients with defective Pinnacle metal on metal hip replacements and failing Biomet metal on metal hip implants. Ms. Stephan has represented clients in civil litigation for over 20 years. Stephan is a member of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and the Sarasota County Bar Association Programs Committee. 

Michele Stephan’s Attorney Bio

Find out right now if you have a claim

Your case review is free.  Don’t wait to get help because it could hurt your case.

Call Us Now

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First Last

Email*

Phone

Areas of Practice*

Please Select...Vaccine InjuryMetal on Metal Hip ClaimExactech Hip RecallExactech Knee RecallKratom LawsuitsGovernment ContractsFederal TakingsRails to TrailsIndian LawPhilip CPAP RecallOther

Is This About a COVID-19 Vaccine Injury?*

Please Select..YESNO

Did you get any of these vaccinations in the 45 days before or after the COVID-19 shot? Flu, Tetanus, Pneumonia, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, MMR, Chickenpox/Varicella, Diptheria, Pertussis, DtaP, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A or B, Meningitis, HPV.*

Please Select..YESNO

Approximate month and/or year of vaccination:*

Name of the vaccine or vaccines you got:*

Flu / Influenza

Tetanus

Pneumonia / Pneumococcal

Chickenpox / Varicella

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR or MMRV)

HPV / Gardasil

Whooping Cough / Pertussis

Rotavirus

Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B

Meningitis / Meningococcal

DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)

Hib / Haemophilus Influenzae type b

Polio

Other non-COVID vaccine

Have you seen a doctor or medical professional for treatment?

Please Select..YESNO

What was your diagnosis?

Name/Brand of Hip Implant:*

Please Select..BiometJohnson & Johnson DePuy PinnacleDePuy ASRZimmerStrykerWright MedicalOtherI Don’t Know

Year of Original Hip Replacement Surgery:*

Did your doctor talk to you about metallosis, pseudotumors, high metal levels in your blood, bone loss, osteolysis, or joint loosening?

Please Select..YESNO

Did You Have Revision Surgery or Are You Scheduled for Revision Surgery?*

Please Select..YESNO

Date of revision surgery or upcoming revision surgery

Did you get a recall letter or notification?

Please Select..YESNO

Did You Have Revision Surgery or Are You Scheduled for Revision Surgery?*

Please Select..YESNO

Names of the kratom brands used

Type of Injury from Kratom

Please Select..Death of Family Member or FriendMedical Reaction Like Seizures, Heart Problems, Organ Failure, Etc.Addiction For Which You Are Getting TreatmentOther

If there is an autopsy report, what was the cause of death?

If there is a toxicology report, what substances are listed?

Have you seen a medical provider about the kratom injury?

Please Select...YESNO

What is your medical diagnosis?

Are you still using kratom?

Please Select...YESNO

Have you gotten treatment for addiction or gone to rehab?

Please Select...YESNO

Are you a member of a tribe?

Please Select..YESNO

Is your question about a tribal matter?

Please Select..YESNO

What is the name of the tribe:

What is the tribe's location?

How long did you use the recalled Philips CPAP, BiPap or Ventilator?

Please Select..Less than 1 year1-3 years3-5 years5 years or longer

Have you seen a doctor about an injury/reaction from the recalled device?

Please Select..YESNO

What is your diagnosis/injury after using the machine?

Please Select..CancerAsthmaCOPDRespiratory DiseasePneumonitisPulmonary FibrosisAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)Chronic BronchitisLung DamageSomething Else

What is your injury if not listed above:

Please give us more details about your situation.

I agree to the Terms and Conditions outlined in this link by submitting this information to mctlaw.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

As an experienced leader in these types of lawsuits, we were confident the firm would have the expertise. However, what surprised us most was the high level of excellent customer service from the firm’s staff!

Pat R.

I can’t recommend this firm enough. They have an outstanding team that truly care for their clients…I have been awarded a fair six figure settlement.

Nate M.

When I say “they went to bat” for me…this Law Firm literally did just that. They persevered to bring the hard-nosed Manufacturer to settle and provide me some recompense for everything I had to endure which led to this suit.

Me’Chelle

Read our Client Testimonials