The problem with metal on metal hip replacement products is that the design can cause the metal components to rub together, resulting in microscopic shards of metal being deposited into the bloodstream. These deposited shards of metal can also result in surrounding soft tissue damage, inflammation, and even bone loss. This damage to the surrounding area, can lead to premature loosening of the implant components, and ultimately failure of the implant.

Patients who experience DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant failure usually have to endure painful revision surgeries to correct the failure. Revision surgeries are often times more complicated, more difficult, and more painful that the original implantation surgery. Moreover, these failures are frequently associated with surrounding tissue and bone damage, which ultimately makes rehabilitation harder as well.

The most common complaint about the DePuy Pinnacle system is premature loosening of the device, but other more serious problems are known to occur. Specifically, some patients have experienced bacterial infection (particularly in elderly and obese patients) and blood clot formation (a condition which can result in damage to the cardiovascular system). Most concerning is the risk for blood metal poisoning, also known as metallosis, a condition whereupon shards of metal are deposited from the implant into the patient’s bloodstream.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Common signs and symptoms of metallosis include, but are not limited to:

• Soft tissue damage
• Inflammation, bone loss
• Heightened chromium and cobalt blood levels
• Genotoxicity
• Aseptic fibrosis
• local necrosis
• Pain
• Tumors
• And walking difficulty

If you or someone you know has experienced DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant failure, or has been diagnosed with metallosis, or elevated chromium and/or cobalt levels in the blood please contact the attorneys at Sullo & Sullo, LLP to tell us about your case.