Jarome Iginla discloses neurological health issues

Calgary Flames great Jarome Iginla said he has been dealing with neurological health issues that he believes may be linked to a cobalt hip implant, in an interview with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis published Tuesday.

“Unfortunately I have been battling some health issues, some neurological issues,” Iginla, 49, told Sportsnet, as quoted by Hockey Patrol and other outlets. “I’m not entirely sure what it is, it may be from metal toxins from reaction to the cobalt hip.”

Iginla said he needs more time to understand what is happening but remains hopeful. “I need more time to figure it all out, but I’m still hopeful that I will recover fully, things are slowly getting under control,” he said.

He has not confirmed a diagnosis of cobalt poisoning, and reports say test results so far have not been conclusive. Iginla also had high mercury levels, which he is working to lower while he and his doctors try to determine whether they are connected to the suspected reaction to the implant, according to Francis’s reporting as summarized by several outlets.

Reports said medications Iginla has taken since his hip surgery have affected his energy, weight and speech, and that he has also had mobility issues. Francis wrote that concerns have been raised about the cobalt-chromium components used in some artificial hip implants, which can release metal ions and debris through wear or corrosion and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream.

Public concern about Iginla’s health grew after a video clip of him and his son Joe ahead of the NHL draft drew attention from viewers who noticed changes in his appearance and voice. The Flames selected Joe Iginla in the third round of the draft in June, a pick Canada News Media reported at the time. The younger Iginla later said he was prepared to prove doubters wrong.

Jarome Iginla spent his first 16 seasons with the Flames and finished his time with the club with 525 goals and 1,095 points in 1,219 games. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The disclosure pushed his name to the top of Canadian searches on Tuesday. Google Trends listed “Jarome Iginla health” among the fast-rising searches in Canada, with more than 5,000 searches in the past day.

Iginla did not announce a treatment plan or a timeline for recovery in the reported comments. Canada News Media will update this story if Iginla, his family or the team provides further information.

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Source: Sportsnet interview with Eric Francis, as reported by Hockey Patrol, Heavy and other outlets.