Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Recall

Corries Solicitors are currently acting for over 200 claimants who suspect they are suffering as a result of being fitted with a faulty metal on metal hip implant.

The main implants affected are the DePuy ASR system and the Corail Pinnacle system. We are also receiving instructions on other metal on metal implants that have failed.

Overview

The ASR hip replacement system is a metal on metal hip replacement that was manufactured by DePuy a division of the American company Johnson and Johnson. Between 2003 and 2010 around 8000 people in the uk were fitted with the ASR hip. During that time doctors and patients across the world had noted a very high failure rate of the ASR hip replacement.

In August 2010 DePuy recalled the ASR hip replacement. They claim they issued the recall as soon as they became aware of the problems. However reports had been made to various medical bodies and to DePuy themselves that the ASR hips were failing from as long ago as 2005.

It has recently been recognised that the Corail Pinnacle system also manufactured by DePuy has caused some other problems.

Symptoms

Symptoms are caused by the metal on metal hip replacement eroding and in some cases flaking, leaving a build up of debris inside the hip. This debris can cause serious permanent damage to muscles and bones.

• Inflamation and pain
• Loose hip cups
• Clunking or grinding when walking
• Pseudo tumors
• Metal poisoning

Metal Poisoning

The metal on metal moving part can erode and flake and this can cause metallosis, a toxic condition where amounts of chromium and cobalt can be released into the blood stream. Patients have reported symptoms ranging from rashes to headaches, nausea to nerve damage. Often the symptoms can seem to be completely unrelated to the hip replacement but if left untreated can cause lasting damage and pain.

Contact your doctor

Patients who know they have an ASR or Corail hip replacement are advised to contact their doctor as soon as possible.

Revision surgery

In a large number of cases revision surgery has been recommended.

Legal Position

We are currently pursuing compensation claims for over 200 clients. Compensation for being fitted with a faulty ASR or Corail Pinnacle includes:-

• Pain and suffering caused by the faulty ASR
• Pain and suffering as a result of the revision surgery
• Loss of earnings
• Care and Assistance provided by family and friends
• Travel expenses to attend medical appointments
• Medical expenses

Register Now

If you think you might have had an ASR replacement but are not currently suffering any symptoms please contact us to go on our register. This will help to protect your legal position should the hip fail in the future.

In the News

The MHRA has, on the 28th February 2012, released a Medical Device Alert relating to metal-on-metal hip replacements. This can be downloaded and viewed here*

Other types of metal on metal hip implant

Other makes of metal on metal implant also appear to be failing. If you think you have had a metal on metal implant and are suffering symptoms of failure please contact us.

*Please note Corries Solicitors accepts no responsibility for content viewed or downloaded from 3rd party websites.