WASHINGTON, April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Drug Watchdog now fears the vast majority of all metal hip implant recipients who have had a premature failure of their artificial hip implant will never receive compensation because they did not take vital proactive steps like getting a blood test to measure cobalt, and chromium levels in their blood stream, or they did not get a MRI that could have detected a premature failure be detecting tissue inflammation around the stem, or cup of the device. For more information all metal hip implant recipients can call the US Drug Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140414/73021 )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140414/73020 )

The US Drug Watchdog says, "We can't over emphasize how incredibly vital it is for recipients of what are called metal on metal hip implants to get a blood test that is focused on cobalt, or chromium levels in a recipients blood stream. According to a December 27th 2011 New York Times article there are 500,000 US recipients of all metal hip implant, and some European health agencies are suggesting staggering rates of premature failures.

In the UK they are now mandating that recipients of an all-metal hip implant get an annual blood test to detect elevated levels of cobalt, and chromium. Our big worry is because a hip implant replacement, or what is called a revision surgery is such a ordeal many recipients would prefer not to know if their hip implant has failed, or not. This is why we are so adamant that all US recipients get a blood test that checks for elevated levels of cobalt, and chromium, and or a MRI for tissue damage. Without these tests we fear tens of thousands of US citizens will never be compensated for the premature failure of their all metal hip implant, and or the deadlines to get compensated will come, and go without the recipient ever being included in a settlement."

For more information recipients of a all metal hip implant are urged to contact the US Drug Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

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. Legal sources are now telling the US Drug Watchdog that in order to be compensated for a DePuy Pinnacle all metal hip implant a failure must have occurred that required revision surgery, or a medical doctor now must be recommending revision surgery because the device has failed, or because of metalosis has been diagnosed.

 * 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

According to the BBC on February 28th 2012, "The government's health regulator has advised that patients who have undergone large head metal-on-metal hip replacements should be monitored annually for life. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17192520

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

Media Contact:
M. Thomas Martin
866-714-6466

SOURCE US Drug Watchdog