Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with hip implant metal poisoning and pseudotumors after 9 years
By Volstad, Nicola J et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2016·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Metallosis with pseudotumour formation: Long-term complication following cementless total hip replacement in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old female Belgian Tervuren was brought in because she was experiencing pain and had developed unusual growths after having a hip replacement nine years earlier. The vet discovered that the metal implant had failed, causing a condition called metallosis (metal buildup in the body) and pseudotumors (false tumors) both near the implant and in other areas. To treat her, the vet surgically removed the pseudotumors and took out the faulty hip implant. Fortunately, the dog recovered well and was able to return to her normal activities afterward.
People also search for: dog hip replacement problems · Belgian Tervuren joint pain · pseudotumor in dogs · metallosis in dogs · dog hip surgery recovery
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 10-year-old female Belgian Teruven dog was presented to our clinic for total hip revision following a diagnosis of implant (cup) failure with metallosis and abdominal pseudotumour formation. The patient had a cementless metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement performed nine years prior to presentation. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The clinical findings, including pseudotumour formation locally and at sites distant from the implant and pain associated with the joint replacement, were similar to those described in human patients with this condition. Histopathological, surgical, and radiographic findings additionally supported the diagnosis of metallosis and pseudotumour formation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Distant site pseudotumours were surgically removed and the total hip replacement was explanted due to poor bone quality. The patient recovered uneventfully and has since resumed normal activity. CONCLUSION: In veterinary patients with metal-on-polyethylene total hip implants, cup failure leading to metallosis and pseudotumour formation should be considered as a potential cause of ipsilateral hindlimb lameness, intra-pelvic abdominal tumours, or a combination of both. These clinical findings may occur years after total hip replacement surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27189390/