A presentation at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons titled “Clinical Follow-up and Metal Ions in Blood of Patients with Hip Resurfacing” demonstrated how different metal-on-metal hip replacements are associated with different levels of metal ions in the blood, a potentially-dangerous complication frequently observed in metal-on-metal hip replacement patients.
This research team, led by Dr. Alain Petit of Montreal, stated that “Metal-on-metal bearings composed of cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum alloys are subject to corrosion and wear with subsequent local systemic ion release. A number of causes have been associated to an increase in metal ions following hip arthroplasty with metal-on-metal implants. However, little is known regarding the effect of different surgical variables on the concentration of metal ions in the blood of patients with resurfacings.”
Studying 90 metal-on-metal hip replacement patients over a minimum of 2 years follow-up, the Petit et al. (2010) team found that “larger [femoral] head and cup diameters decreased the level of metal ions in blood of patients with hip resurfacing whereas the acetabular inclination and the neck-shaft angle had no effect.”
This is good news. However, many metal-on-metal hip replacement manufacturers, such as DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. — the manufacturer of the recently-recalled ASR/ASRXL hip replacement systems — fail to notify users that the use of metal-on-metal hip replacements is associated with increased levels of metal ions in the blood.
Elevated blood metal ion levels are associated with, understandably, metallosis (metal poisoning), which may be fatal if left untreated, pseudotumors, and increased cancer mortality, not to mention kidney and liver problems.
Because of this failure to warn, a number of DePuy ASR lawsuits have been filed across the country with a great deal of success. If you or a loved one used a DePuy hip replacement, you too may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of DePuy ASR lawyers at the information provided below. We have the compassion, resources, and experience required to win the justice you deserve.
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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.