Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants, Including the DePuy Pinnacle and the Biomet M2A-M2 Magnum, are Implicated in Litigation Involving Premature Failure

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Drug Watchdog is now expressing deep concern that most recipients of an all metal hip implant will never be compensated for a premature failure, because they do not want to go through a hip implant replacement surgery also known as a revision surgery. The group says, "If you are a recipient of an all metal hip implant such as the DePuy Pinnacle, or the Biomet M2a Magnum, your device has been problematic, and you have not yet been identified by a court please call us at 866-714-6466 to learn why all recipients should have a sense of urgency to see if their all metal hip implant has failed yet, or not." http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

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The US Drug Watchdog says, "What has us most worried is court records indicate there are 140,000 US recipients of the DePuy Pinnacle, and thousands with the Biomet M2a Magnum, and unless the recipients of these types of hip implants get proactive, and get a blood test, or a MRI they could get stuck on the curb without compensation, or reimbursement to replace the device in the event it has prematurely failed. If you are a recipient of one of these types of all metal hip implants, and you are concerned about a premature failure, please call us at 866-714-6466 so we can explain what steps are needed to protect yourself." http://USDrugWatchdog.com

Information About Metal on Metal Hip Implants From The US FDA

How do I know if I have a metal-on-metal hip implant?

Patients are usually told about the type of implant they are receiving prior to the surgery. If you are uncertain about which type you have, you should contact the orthopedic surgeon who performed your procedure.

Are there other medical effects that can occur with my metal-on-metal hip implant?

Metal-on-metal hip implants have the same adverse effects as other types of hip implants, including infection, loosening, bone loss, device or bone fracture, and joint dislocation.

In addition, metal particles from a metal-on-metal implant may cause a reaction around the joint, leading to deterioration of the tissue around the joint, loosening of the implant and failure of the device. Metal ions from a metal-on-metal implant will enter the bloodstream. There are case reports in which patients with metal-on-metal hip implants may have developed an adverse reaction to these metal ions and experienced medical problems that could have been related to their implants. These problems included:

• General hypersensitivity reaction (skin rash)
• Cardiomyopathy
• Neurological changes including sensory changes (auditory, or visual impairments)
• Psychological status change (including depression or cognitive impairment)
• Renal function impairment
• Thyroid dysfunction (including neck discomfort, fatigue, weight gain or feeling cold)

Updates on litigation involving metal-on-metal hip implants manufactures that are being sued for premature failures from the US Drug Watchdog: 

• DePuy Pinnacle Case Number U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas MDL#2244  
• Stryker Rejuvenate Modular &ABG II-recalled June 2012. 
• Biomet M2a Magnum Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. (Case No. 3:12-cv-3476) filed on July 2nd 2012. The US Drug Watchdog says, "For some recipients of the Biomet M2A, and M2 Magnum there may be a looming statute of limitations issue of April 15th 2014 to get identified by the court if your hip implant has failed. Please call us for more information."  
• Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Conserve Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation ("MDL No. 2329"). This is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

The US Drug Watchdog says, "If you have a friend, or loved one who is a recipient of a metal-on-metal hip implant that has already failed, or is showing symptoms of a failure, or if a recipient is concerned about a premature failure, please call us anytime at 866-714-6466. We want to make certain all metal-on-metal hip implant recipients get meaningful help, and assistance." http://USDrugWatchdog.com

For attribution purposes please refer to the January 2013 notification by the US Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/MetalonMetalHipImplants/ucm241766.htm

Media Contact:

M. Thomas Martin, 866-714-6466

Read more news from the US Drug Watchdog. 

SOURCE US Drug Watchdog