Sensory Polyneuropathy and Cobalt Intoxication after Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

We describe a patient with sensory polyneuropathy and cobalt intoxication. The cause of cobalt intoxication was metallosis of a metal-on-metal hip joint composed of cobalt-chrome alloy. A nerve conduction study revealed axonal sensory polyneuropathy, which improved slightly after chelation therapy and revision surgery. This case implies that a history of arthroplasty should not be neglected in the context of sensory polyneuropathy.