Ms linda meek

Dear Dr Saputo,

Whilst googling the other evening, I came upon your appalling time following hip resurfacing.  I am so glad you were able to come through...

Both my hips were resurfaced using the Birmingham Hip (Smith & Newton prostheses),  The first in December 2006, the second in October 2013.  Both surgeries were done by the same leader in the field.  They are not the de Puy or Johnson & Johnson devoces.

Until a month ago, I believed all was well with both hips.  I am a very active woman, who plays tennis for several hours a week.

But suddenly I find my metal ions have risen to cobalt, 249, chromium 138 ( thresholds are 120 and 135 respectively ).  A repeat blood test has pretty much confirmed these numbers.

An Xray suggestssignificant bone resorption in the older hip and ultrasound shows fluid build up the size of a lemon in the older hip, of a plum in the more recent one.  Hip aspiration of the fluid shows the older hip to have darker, more geletinous surrounding fluid and I await tests to determine, precisely, the composition of the fluid - or whether there is infection present.

although my symptoms are relatively minor, I am aware of some groin discomfort and of a general feeling of instability around the older hip.

my surgeon says he wants to "keep an eye" on things.  But it seems to me the older hip is probably leaching ions and I am fearful of the impact on surrounding tissue.  In view of your own experience, I just wondered if you might be able to put what I describe into context and, perhaps, share your thoughts with me?  I appreciate you are a very busy person, but do not really know who to turn to for impartial, knowledgeable advice.  I am UK based.

Very many thanks for your time in reading this.

Kind regards,

Linda Meek