US Drug Watchdog Urges Recipients of the DePuy Pinnacle All Metal Hip Implant to Call for Information Regarding Blood Testing for Metal Levels

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Drug Watchdog is extremely concerned that many all metal hip implant recipients are not getting accurate information about elevated levels of cobalt, or chromium in their blood, which could lead to a medical condition called metallosis; so they are urging them to call them at 866-714-6466 for specific information about a blood test that has been designed to test for metal levels in a person who now has a metal on metal hip implant such as the DePuy Pinnacle. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

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The US Drug Watchdog is very concerned recipients of an all metal hip implant are not getting the word about premature failures, litigation, and recalls. While there has been press about the DePuy ASR, and the Pinnacle, there really has not been much press dealing with the issue of premature failures involving all metal hip implants.

The Watchdog says, "One of our biggest problems has been orthopedic surgeons not communicating with their patients with respect to the patient's questions about pain they might be having, or blood tests, or MRI's that might signify an all metal hip implant failure. For this reason we are urging recipients of a DePuy Pinnacle, or any other type of all metal hip implant to call us anytime at 866-714-6466 for specific information about a blood test that has been designed to measure for elevated levels of cobalt, and chromium in a recipients blood stream." http://USDrugWatchdog.Com

According to the BBC on February 28^th, 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. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said around 49,000 UK patients with large-head hip implants out of 65,000 with all-metal hips were in a high-risk category. The regulator said that they should have blood tests to check for metal ions, and magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI) if they have raised metal levels or show adverse symptoms. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17192520

Updates on litigation involving metal on metal hip implants manufacturers 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 hip implant recipients get meaningful help, and assistance." http://USDrugWatchdog.com

Media Contact:

M. Thomas Martin, 866-714-6466

SOURCE US Drug Watchdog