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Metal Hip Prosthesis

Leigh Day lawyers investigate alleged poisoning from metal hip replacements

Lawyers at Leigh Day are investigating claims that individuals have been poisoned by their hip replacements due to deteriorating metal components.

Posted on 21 October 2024

Between 2009 and 2017, around 5,000 patients in the UK received “modular neck” hip replacements, which are thought to be at an increased risk of deterioration due to a larger number of artificial metal-on-metal joints in the implant.

Studies have linked these implants to higher than usual failure rates and fractures, leading to poisoning from cobalt metal ions released by this damage.  

Cobalt particles can poison tissue and spread to other parts of the body, causing a wide range of medical problems. Roughly 100,000 surgeries per year are still being carried out using cobalt implants. 

Lawyers at Leigh Day understand that patients should have been notified about these dangers by medical staff, and regularly monitored with testing of their levels of chromium and cobalt metal ions.  

The Medical & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued guidance in 2017 advising that levels of chromium and cobalt above seven parts per billion (ppb) following a blood test could indicate wear and corrosion of the hip components. The guidance says this should be an indication for additional testing and closer follow-ups.   

There are various potential symptoms from cobalt poisoning: 

  • Heart failure 
  • Kidney failure
  • Hearing loss 
  • Vision loss 
  • Memory loss 
  • Depression 
  • Fatigue 
  • Nerve issues 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Haemorrhage 
  • Chronic pain 
  • Cognitive decline  
  • Tinnitus
  • Underactive thyroid 
  • Weakness  

Leigh Day are the lead solicitors in the DePuy ASR hip resurfacing and total hip replacement action representing over 600 claimants who have suffered from an adverse reaction to metal debris. 

Angela Bruno, senior associate solicitor from the Leigh Day’s product liability team, said: 

“Having co-managed the team representing over 600 clients, many of whom have sustained catastrophic injuries following failed metal-on-metal hip components, we are concerned that similar problems are arising from these 'modular neck' implants. As studies have shown, the multiple joints on these implants mean there is more scope for wear and tear, resulting in metal ions entering the body and leading to issues such as cobalt poisoning for patients." 

If you have been implanted with a metal-on-metal hip system and believe you have been affected by any of the issues referred to above, please contact specialist product liability solicitor Angela Bruno on 0207 650 1144 or email abruno@leighday.co.uk

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Angela Bruno
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Angela Bruno

Angela is a leading product safety and consumer rights lawyer. She also co-manages the food safety team at the London office.

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