Surgeons warned to avoid certain combinations of metal-on-metal total hip replacements

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have issued advice to surgeons, to stop using the MITCH TRH hip system because of high revision rates in comparison to other implants.

The MITCH TRH system involves a particular combination of metal-on-metal total hip replacement components; the MITCH TRH acetabular cups / MITCH TRH modular heads (made by Finsbury Orthopaedics), combined with un-cemented Accolade femoral stems, (made by Stryker Orthopaedics).  It has been reported that the England and Wales National Joint Registry indicate that this particular combination shows unacceptably high revision rates of 10.7% after four years implantation.

Updated advice has been given to surgeons, mirroring the recommendations previously published by the MHRA in February 2012 regarding metal-on-metal hip components generally.  Clinicians have been warned to follow up patients with the MITCH TRH system, which Dr Susanne Ludgate, Clinical Director of the MHRA says should already be happening:

“Patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements should already be regularly monitored by their clinician.  Analysis has shown that the revision rate for this combination of implant is unacceptably high. This is why we have advised surgeons to stop using this combination and to monitor their patients closely.  We have previously taken prompt action in February to investigate safety concerns and provided advice on patient management to relevant healthcare professionals."

It is thought that around 270 people in England and Wales have this combination of hip components.  Both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are to be monitored on an annual basis, with additional investigations to be carried out in those experiencing symptoms.

Leigh Day and medical device claims

Specialist and expert defective product solicitors at Leigh Day & Co are currently representing hundreds of clients who have suffered serious health problems since being fitted with a variety of hip replacement devices. Symptoms they have suffered include: groin pain, difficulty in walking, swelling, clunking or grinding and numbness or loss of sensation in leg.  Many of our clients have had to undergo painful revision surgery to replace the hip implants that had been fitted, and some have suffered financial loss because of time missed at work. Leigh Day product liability lawyers are currently instructed in the following matters:

•    DePuy ASR hip implant and other metal on metal devices
•    DePuy Pinnacle hip implant and other metal on metal devices
•    Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
     heart leads
•    St Jude Riata Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
     heart leads
•    Zimmer NexGen LPS femoral component

To speak to a member of our medical devices claims team for a free and friendly initial consultation please contact us on 020 7650 1219 or email partners Jill Paterson or Bozena Michalowska for further information.