US Drug Watchdog Stresses the Importance for all DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Recipients to Contact Them Regarding Safety Concerns

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Drug Watchdog, a consumer advocacy group created to help raise awareness of faulty medical devices and potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals, is urging anyone who has received a DePuy Pinnacle metal hip implant to contact their toll-free number, 866-714-6466, as soon as possible to find out if they are at risk for serious health concerns resulting from metal-on-metal hip implants. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

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The US Drug Watchdog says, "Anyone who has received a DePuy Pinnacle hip implant -- should be tested immediately to find out if their hip is at risk of failure. We are inviting recipients of a DePuy Pinnacle hip implant to call us anytime at 866-714-6466 for more information." http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

The Pinnacle, a popular model installed in 140,000 people nationwide, is subject to the same design flaws as the recalled DePuy models, and currently has at least 4,600 lawsuits pending. Friction from the metal parts of the hip cause metal ions to be released into the bloodstream, which can lead to metal poisoning. This metal poisoning leads to inflammation and damage to the soft tissue, causing the implants to become misaligned or dislocated from the bone. In addition to affecting the hip implant, metal poisoning can cause serious illness.

"We don't want anyone to be left with costly medical bills and the pain and suffering associated with these devices," says the US Drug Watchdog. "We urge anyone who has received these implants to contact us right away at 866-714-6466 for more information about compensation for their injuries, and tests to determine a premature failure."  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 metallosis 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

For attribution purposes please 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