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DePuy Metal-on-Metal Pinnacle Hip Replacement System

1/15/12 William A. Kershaw Appointed to the Plaintiff’s Discovery Committee in the DePuy Orthopedics Multi-District Litigation

In addition to the DePuy ASR Acetabular hip replacement device, many hip replacement patients have been complaining of problems related to their DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular metal-on-metal hip replacement device. Although a recall has not yet been issued, those patients who have experienced pain or persistent problems with their Pinnacle device may still have legal recourse.

Problems with the DePuy Pinnacle Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement System May Include:

FDA Warning about Metal-on-Metal Implants

Hip replacement patients who were implanted with a DePuy Pinnacle device utilizing a metal insert may also experience problems linked to metal-on-metal hip devices. Recently, the FDA published a special portion of their website dedicated to metal-on-metal hip implants. According to the FDA’s website:

“Metal-on-metal hip implants, like other types of hip implants, are known to have adverse events including infection and joint dislocation. There are some case reports of the metal particles causing a reaction around the joint, leading to deterioration of the tissue around the joint, loosening of the implant and failure of the device, as well as some of the symptoms described above. In addition, some metal ions from the implant may enter into the bloodstream. There have been a few recent case reports of patients with metal-on-metal hip implants developing a reaction to these ions and experiencing medical problems that might have been related to their implants, including effects on the nervous system, heart and thyroid gland.”

What to do if you have a DePuy Pinnacle Metal-on-Metal Hip Device

Patients who have been implanted with a DePuy Pinnacle hip device that contains a metal insert may become concerned about the metal particles referenced above on the FDA’s website. One way to test for metal wear debris is to request a blood metal analysis to test for high blood levels of cobalt or chromium. Elevated levels of cobalt and chromium have been found in numerous patients implanted with metal hip devices, and there is ongoing research indicating that there may be long term health problems associated with cobalt or chromium toxicity. Patients who have discovered they have elevated blood cobalt or chromium levels may be concerned about their overall health and request ongoing and consistent monitoring of their blood metal levels.

Additionally, regardless of which hip replacement device you have been implanted with, if you have experienced problems, you should report your device to the FDA for an investigation. Chances are, you are not the only patient affected by the device, and a recall may be in order. Click here to visit the FDA’s Medwatch Medical Product Reporting Page.

Contact an Experienced Medical Device Attorney

If you have experienced problems with your DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant or have already had a revision surgery to remove your Pinnacle implant, you may be entitled to compensation from the device manufacturer. Call our experienced medical device lawyers at 888-290-4472 for a free and confidential case evaluation, or fill out the contact form on this page.


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