Defective DePuy Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants Might Result To Heavy Metal Poisoning

One of the many complications reported after DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. recalled its Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip systems was the hip implant metallosis. The several lawsuits that were filed against Johnson & Johnson, DePuy’s mother company, contained among its several allegations, metallosis. Several of these lawsuits have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation under Judge David A. Katz of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio who called for a status conference of the DePuy hip replacement lawsuit this month.

The hip implant metallosis is the metal poisoning of cobalt and chromium in the soft tissue which could lead a patient to suffer pain and potentially dangerous side effects. The heavy metal build-up, particularly of chromium and cobalt, in the tissue is allegedly caused by the defective design of the metal-on-metal (MoM) ASR hip implants. Several orthopedic specialists said that they believed that the design of the ASR cup, which is shallower than some similar devices, was at the heart of the implant’s problems, according to an article published in the New York Times.

DePuy had intended a wider range of motion for patients by designing a shallower cup and removing the plastic liner from the inside of the implant. However, the friction of the ball portion of the hip implant against the socket wears away cobalt and chromium particles from the device and into the soft tissue around the area leading to metallosis.

Because of their strength and anti-corrosion properties, the DePuy ASR hip implants use heavy metals cobalt and chromium. The presence of these heavy metals at a low level in the body is considered safe, however, elevated levels could be toxic for patients as it could lead to both cobalt and chromium poisoning. Considered by experts to be dangerous in cobalt poisoning is any blood serum concentration at or above seven micrograms per millilitre.

Included among the symptoms of cobalt poisoning are:

·Deafness

·Cardiomyopathy

·Optic nerve / vision problems

·Neuropathy

·Haemorrhages

·Kidney failure

·Gastrointestinal problems

·Thyroid problems

Experts at the Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories believe that even low levels are concerning even if no specific concentrations have been established to be considered as dangerous levels for chromium poisoning, “blood serum concentrations greater than 1ng/ML in a patient with Cr-based implant suggest significant prosthesis wear.”

Included among the symptoms of chromium poisoning are:

·Acute renal failure

·Increased risk of cancers

·GI haemorrhage

·Impaired liver function

Both complications are diagnosed by undergoing regular blood tests. A revision surgery would be needed to remove the defective hip implant that is causing the poisoning on affected patients. The DePuy hip replacement recall is not enough compensation in the face of the grave danger that the defective implants pose to a patients’ health.

References:

world.einnews.com/pr_news/59900568/asymptomatic-metal-on-metal-hip-replacement-patients-may-still-be-experiencing-tissue-damage

forthepeople.com/depuy-metallosis-depuy-hip-implant-recall–12-3189.html

nytimes.com/2010/03/10/business/10device.html

moriarty.com/depuy_hip_recall/Stay_Informed/What_is_Metallosis/

orthosupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=40090

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This entry was posted on Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 3:22 pm and is filed under Vintage Electronics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.