Health Canada Issues Warning on Risks of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants

OTTOWA - Canada's national health agency has issued an advisory letter to that country's orthopedic surgeons about potential risks of metal-on-metal hip implants, saying that adverse outcomes have been linked to wear and the release of metal particles during use.

Health Canada issued the same advisory to the public, as well, on May 9, asking that any adverse incidents be reported to the agency's Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate.

In the letter to health professionals, the agency cited a recent United Kingdom survey that reported a 14.2 percent "soft tissue reaction" rate for implants utilizing metal cup and ball …