Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris (ARMD)

Call Now

Schedule a Consultation

What is Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris?

Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris (ARMD) is one of the many devastating conditions you can develop when a Metal-on-Metal (MoM) hip implant releases toxic amounts of metal into your body.

In patients with ARMD, the soft tissues, muscles, and/or bones in the hip have bad reactions to the metal debris flaking off the hip implant.

ARMD is not a simple, straightforward condition — it is an umbrella term for a large set of problems caused by the metal debris of hip replacements.

MoM hip implants have fallen out of favor in the medical community due to their extremely high failure rates. In MoM hip replacements, the metal components rub against each other during regular daily use. This causes tiny metal particles to scrape off the implant and enter your body.

The metal debris can lead to catastrophic health consequences and, ultimately, hip implant failure. One of the leading causes of implant failure is Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris (ARMD).

Types of Metal Reaction Common in Metal on Metal Hip Replacements

ARMD is one of several ways to describe metal reactions from hip replacements.  Other similar responses to metal poisoning include:

• Metallosis
• ALVAL – Aseptic Lymphocyte-Dominant Vasculitis-Associated Lesions
• Cobalt Chromium Poisoning
• Pseudotumors

What are the Symptoms of Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris?

Many patients with ARMD experience no symptoms at all.  That’s why leading orthopedic surgeons recommend that ALL patients with MoM implants get their blood metal ion levels measured every three months.

However, patients with normal cobalt and chromium ion levels in their blood could still have ARMD.

Below is a list of symptoms and warning signs that you may have metal reaction complications from your hip replacement.  Systemic injuries happen when metal poisoning damages parts of your body that are not related to your hip.

Systemic Injuries from Metal Poisoning

• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in your ears
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Cognitive or Thinking Problems
• Heart problems

Symptoms of ARMD

• Pain in your hip, leg, or groin
• A lump in your hip
• Decreased mobility in the hip
• Difficulty walking due to pain or weakness
• Popping or squeaking in your hip when moving
• Clicking sound in your hip when walking or running
• Swelling around your hip
• Feeling that your hip is dislocated

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

What Complications does ARMD Cause?

ARMD is an umbrella term used to describe a large set of complications that can affect the tissues, bones, and muscles surrounding your hip implant. Some of the issues that stem from ARMD are listed below:

• Abnormal collection of fluid in the hip socket
• A build-up of soft tissue around the hip
• Gluteal muscle necrosis (tissue death) is a condition where the cells of the gluteal muscles decompose, often causing a build-up of soft tissue
• High cobalt and chromium (or metal ion) blood levels
• Osteolysis (bone death)
• Joint dislocation: ARMD often causes tissue swelling; if there is enough swelling in the hip joint, it can cause the implant components to move out of place

If your doctor has told you that you are experiencing any of the complications listed above, your MoM hip implant may have caused you to develop ARMD. 

How is ARMD Diagnosed?

If you think you have ARMD, your doctor will most likely recommend a combination of examinations in order to give you an accurate diagnosis. Some of the most common ways of diagnosing ARMD include:

• Blood tests to check metal ion levels
• MRIs to look for fluid or tissue collections
• Ultrasounds to look for fluid or tissue collections
• X-ray scans to check your implant and bone positioning
• Oxford Hip Score questionnaire: a survey of questions used to determine how well your implant is performing
• In-person examination between you and your doctor

Can Complications from ARMD be Reversed?

Like many of the painful conditions caused by MoM hip implants, ARMD can be reversed with revision surgery.

Complications like fluid collections and dead tissue can be fixed by your doctor during revision surgery. However, timing is key. If you wait too long to get revision surgery, you may develop severe complications that require a much more invasive, risky, and painful revision surgery.

During revision surgery, your surgeon will remove the failed MoM implant and replace it with a new one.  The replacement implant is usually made out of better, safer material combinations. This should cause your blood metal ion levels to go back down and typically stops symptoms of ARMD.

Content Reviewed by Michael Cowgill – Medical Product Liability Lawyer

Michael Cowgill is an experienced attorney in the medical product liability division at mctlaw. Michael focuses his practice on defective medical devices such as recalled metal-on-metal hips and wrongful death lawsuits involving Kratom. Mr. Cowgill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR. He volunteers as a high school mentor with a program for underprivileged youths interested in pursuing a future legal career.

Michael Cowgill’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.

Comments

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