In a 2008 article published by J. Antoniou et al. in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery titled “Metal ion levels in the blood of patients after hip resurfacing: a comparison between twenty-eight and thirty-six-millimeter-head metal-on-metal prostheses.”, the authors write “Metal ion toxicity, metal hypersensitivity, and metal carcinogenicity are causes for concern for patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements. Thus, understanding the biological fate of metal ions, and consequently their long-term systemic effects, is of great interest to patients and surgeons alike.”
Studying the levels of cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum ions (metals that are used in metal-on-metal hips) in the blood of control patients (no implant), patients who used metal-on-polyethylene total hip prostheses, patients who used metal-on-metal total hip prostheses “with either a 28 or 36-mm femoral head,” and patients who used hip resurfacing prostheses.
Researchers found patients who used metal-on-metal prostheses with 36-mm femoral heads had lower metal ion levels than those who used implants with 28-mm diameter heads and those who used hip resurfacing procedures at six months. However, these differences seemed to even out by 12 months.
Because DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., the manufacturer of a number of popular metal-on-metal hip replacements, failed time and again to adequately inform patients of the risk for elevated blood metal ion levels and other side effects such as femoral fracture and premature device failure, a number of DePuy hip replacement lawsuits have been filed against the company, particularly concerning the ASR and ASR XL systems.
If you or a loved one used a DePuy ASR hip replacement and suffered one of these or other complications, you 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.
(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.