Metallosis is a type of metal poisoning that has been linked to surgical treatment with metal-on-metal hip implants, like those offered by DePuy. Metallosis occurs when tiny pieces of the metal from the implant begin to accumulate in the tissue that surrounds the replaced joint, in this case the hip. The increased levels of chromium and cobalt in the body that come from DePuy Metallosis can lead to serious complications with the hip implant, and in many cases a revision surgery will be required in order to treat the condition.
DePuy Metallosis Symptoms
When metallosis (the buildup of metal pieces in the tissue surrounding the replaced joint) occurs, a patient will most likely experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Trouble Walking
- Pain/discomfort around hip
- Swelling
- Skin rash signaling damage to tissue
- When these DePuy Hip Implant Metallosis symptoms are present, they can often be indicative of a larger medical problem including:
- A broken or fractured bone near the hip implant
- Nerve or tissue damage to the surrounding area
- A loosened or potentially even dislocated implant
When any of these situations arise, a hip implant revision surgery will most likely be necessary in order to correct. Because repeated surgery can become expensive quickly, many patients experiencing these complications choose to file a DePuy Hip Implant Metallosis lawsuit in order to help with these medical costs.
DePuy Hip Implant Recall
DePuy hip implant devices do not only result in metallosis; several hip implants manufactured by DePuy have actually been recalled. Both the ASR XL Acetabular System, as well as the DePuy ASR Hip resurfacing system, were voluntarily recalled by De Puy Orthopaedics in August of 2010 after studies suggested that these products resulted in abnormally high hip implant failure rates. Approximately 13% of patients with these DePuy Hip Implant systems required an additional revision surgery following treatment. Other companies with hip implant systems that have been under scrutiny include Wright Medical Technology, Zimmer Orthopedics, and Biomet Orthopedics. Lawsuits have been filed against all of these various companies.
File a DePuy Hip Implant Metallosis Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney
If you received a hip replacement with a DePuy (or other) hip implant and experienced complications and/or required additional surgery, call the Willis Law Firm today. You may be eligible for financial compensation through filing a DePuy Hip Implant lawsuit. Our firm is currently reviewing metallosis cases on a national scale, and all hip implant clients are taken on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not be billed any legal fees unless a recovery is obtained. Don’t wait; call the Willis law firm today.