US Drug Watchdog Encourages MRI Scans for DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Failure Detection

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Drug Watchdog says, "A study published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can help identify whether an implant will need to be replaced based on the amount of tissue damage. MRIs are used to get a closer, in-depth look of tissue in the body. MRIs are painless and provide a much more detailed look at soft body tissue. The inflammation on the joint linings caused by metal-on-metal hip implants can be seen in MRIs, which can tell doctors whether or not a hip implant is going to fail." For more information recipients of a metal on metal hip implant are encouraged to contact the US Drug Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140325/PH89413-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140325/PH89413-b )

According to court records, metal-on-metal hip implants like the DePuy Pinnacle implant can cause small particles of cobalt and chromium, types of metal, to be released in the body. These metal particles cause inflammation in the tissue and can lead to hip implant failure. In the study, researchers were able to identify this inflammation in 68% of patients who experienced no symptoms at all and 75% in patients who reported pain.

A study related to all metal hip implants reported in Science Daily in May of 2013 indicated a MRI scan is important for those who have had all metal hip implants even if they are not experiencing pain or other problematic symptoms. The MRI detects tissue damage, which frequently occurs before symptoms present themselves. Most patients wait until pain is severe or until symptoms are uncomfortable to visit their doctors. They end up needing a revision and may have a more complicated revision as a result of the tissue damage that has already occurred.

A spokesperson from the US Drug Watchdog says, "It's very important for anyone who has received a DePuy Pinnacle hip implant to contact us immediately at 866-714-6466 for more information. Waiting until it's too late can mean a more painful hip revision if one is needed, and it could delay or even eliminate the amount of compensation hip implant patients are entitled to." http://USDrugWatchdog.com

DePuy Pinnacle U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas MDL Number 2244

For attribution purposes about Johnson & Johnson's decision to stop production of the DePuy Pinnacle all metal hip implant please refer to the May 2013 Bloomberg news article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-16/j-j-will-stop-sales-of-metal-on-metal-hip-replacements.html

For attribution purposes please refer to the Science Daily news article from May 2013: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130515151436.htm

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

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SOURCE US Drug Watchdog