Metal From Joint Implants May Enter the Blood and Brain: Study

Findings may explain neurological symptoms in some joint replacement patients.
Metal From Joint Implants May Enter the Blood and Brain: Study
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A new study finds that patients undergoing a common type of large joint replacement will experience elevated levels of some metals in their bloodstream, brain, and spinal fluid, raising concerns about the risk of long-term adverse neurological effects.

In the United States, approximately 790,000 total knee replacements and 544,000 hip replacements are performed annually, and these numbers are expected to rise as the population ages.

The Concern: Metals Crossing Into the Brain

The NeuroWear pilot study, recently published in JAMA Network Open, evaluated 103 people with joint implants compared to 108 without.
George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.