Most surgeons no longer do hip replacements where both pieces are made from metal. This is because metal-on-metal hip replacements can cause problems for some people. There’s also some evidence that small particles of metal (called debris) may get into your blood. In many people, the debris doesn’t cause any problems. But in some people, it can cause bone loss and loosen the implants. In 2017, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended that people with certain types of metal-on-metal implants should have their implants checked every year. You may be checked for five years or you may be checked for life, depending on which implants were used. If you have a metal-on-metal implant but aren’t noticing any problems, you may just need to fill in a questionnaire every year. But if you’re in pain, have certain implants or an X-ray shows up potential problems, you may need an MRI or ultrasound scan. You may also have blood tests to measure the amount of metal in your blood at the same time. If there seems to be a problem with the scans or blood tests, your implant may need to be replaced (hip revision surgery). If you’re not sure which type of implant you have, try not to worry. Most hospitals will have contacted you already if you have a metal-on-metal implant. If your surgery was fairly recent, speak to your surgeon or contact the hospital. There will be a record of which implants were used during your operation. If your surgery wasn’t recent, speak to your GP, who should be able to refer you back to the surgeon who performed it. If you signed a consent form to register with the National Joint Registry, you can contact them directly for details of your implant. If you have a metal-on-metal hip implant and are having any pain or difficulty moving the joint, speak to your GP. You may need to be referred to a surgeon to check whether or not your implant is damaged.