There have been renewed fears surrounding the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement due to the possibility of the implant causing non-cancerous tumours and tissue damage. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is expected to announce an official review of the 40,000 people with metal hip implants this week.
Leigh Day & Co are currently acting for claimants who have undergone revision procedures as a result of being implanted with the DePuy ASR component. Lucilla from London, who has instructed Leigh Day & Co, recently underwent a three hour revision procedure requiring a bone graft and 4 pins to hold the cup. Lucilla has commented that she suffered: “Considerable damage to the bone of the hip, which was much worse than the surgeon expected as well as significant tissue deterioration”.
Non-cancerous tumours, sinew damage, aseptic lymphocytic vascular and associated lesions (ALVAL) are associated with metal on metal implants and can contribute to particularly aggressive necrotic erosion of tissue. Metal debris and deposits can build up very early on in the implant’s life cycle potentially causing these problems, as well as inflammation, damaged muscles and soft tissue, often leaving users with no option other than undergoing revision surgery. Patients who are considered as being at risk will be tested for high levels of metal compound within the blood. The MHRA said at the weekend: "Any patients who are affected by these recommendations will be contacted by their surgeon."
DePuy Orthopaedics insists that there is no recall of the ASR component, despite previously issuing an urgent safety notice and planning to phase out the device by the end of 2010.
If you or a relative has been affected and would like to discuss the possibility of compensation relating to the DePuy ASR hip implant, please contact Bozena Michalowska on 020 7650 1311.
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