There are many people who have joint replacement surgery that are younger than 60 years of age. It is important that these metal hip implants properly function for the safety of the user. Some studies have shown that these implants can fail in a few different ways, including breaking from the body weight it is under and leaking particles of metal into the bloodstream. This leaking of metal into the bloodstream can lead to metallosis, which can be a very serious medical condition. Some common signs of metallosis are pain around the implant area and a rash. The rash is an indicator of tissue death and can further complicate problems with the hip implant.
Author E. Dunstan worked on a study from the Bristol Implants Research Center, Bristol, England, that was titled “Chromosomal Aberrations in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Metal-on-Metal Hip Bearings”. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of debris leaked into the bloodstream from hip implants have on normal chromosome function. Any change in structure or number of chromosomes can have serious effects. The study used a technique using cytogenetic biomarkers to highlight certain blood leukocytes that they then could examine for any chromosomal abnormality.
Patients used for the study were placed in three different groups. There was a control group as well as other groups that took into consideration things like patient age, sex, smoker vs. non smoker, patients without implants, and patients who had been using an implant for an extended period of time and needed revision surgery. E. Dunstan states “The number of chromosomal aberrations in the metal-on-metal group with revision surgery was greater than that in the control group”. The slight difference in the number of aberrations may be a little significant but could still put that group of people at an elevated risk for metal poisoning, or metallosis. The researchers of this study also reported that more in depth studies are needed to be done on this topic in or order to fully understand the potential risks that come from metal on metal hip implants.
Sadly, a number of people have used metal-on-metal hip implants unaware of the possibility for metallosis associated with these devices. As such, a number of metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuits have been filed, particularly against DePuy, the manufacturer of the DePuy ASR™ and DePuy ASR™ XL hip replacement systems, both of which were recalled in 2010.
If you or a loved one used one of these devices and suffered side-effects or complications, contact our team of DePuy ASR hip replacement lawyers at the information provided below. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation, and we have the experience, resources, and skills to win the justice you deserve.
(855) 452 – 5529
Our DePuy ASR™ / ASR™ XL Hip Replacement Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip replacements.