The recalled hip implants manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics have caused a number of physical ailments to their recipients: severe pain, difficulty in movement and headache, to name a few. How these clinical symptoms present themselves ultimately defeat the purpose of a hip replacement. After all, hip replacement patients all go under the knife for treatment, and not to suffer the consequences of the negligence of an irresponsible company such as DePuy. Implants that belong to the ASR Acetabular and the ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems are now being recalled by the company.
Dr. Stephen S. Tower, an experienced orthopedist, argues that the effects of the defective implants do not just cause symptoms of pain and movement difficulties. Hip implants are made from metal, namely cobalt and chromium. The defects in the implants cause a friction-like occurrence which results in the leak of metal ions into the bloodstream. This is called ‘metallosis’, wherein cobalt and/or chromium levels in the blood increase at almost-toxic values. The normal value of cobalt levels in the blood is less than .19 mg/L. If they reach at 5 mg/L, these would cause symptoms indicating endocrine damage and nervous system involvement, such as deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, blindness, seizures, headaches, and hypothyroidism. Eventually, heart problems can arise due to high cobalt levels in the blood. This is similar to the term ‘beer drinker’s cardiomyopathy’, where cobalt substances in beer are linked to cardiac ailments. According to Dr. Tower, it is actually better to consider a non metal-on-metal hip implant.
If grave complications such as cardiomyopathy are already present, it may be difficult to perform a revision surgery, because the risks are even more serious because of the anesthesia. Before a second hip replacement is performed, the condition of the patient should be stabilized first.
Seeing a medical expert should be your priority, especially in the presence of heart ailments. After that, a hip recall lawyer can be consulted to file a lawsuit against the company. Pressing charges will help you receive the damages that you have incurred from the DePuy hip replacement recall.
Dr. Stephen S. Tower, an experienced orthopedist, argues that the effects of the defective implants do not just cause symptoms of pain and movement difficulties. Hip implants are made from metal, namely cobalt and chromium. The defects in the implants cause a friction-like occurrence which results in the leak of metal ions into the bloodstream. This is called ‘metallosis’, wherein cobalt and/or chromium levels in the blood increase at almost-toxic values. The normal value of cobalt levels in the blood is less than .19 mg/L. If they reach at 5 mg/L, these would cause symptoms indicating endocrine damage and nervous system involvement, such as deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, blindness, seizures, headaches, and hypothyroidism. Eventually, heart problems can arise due to high cobalt levels in the blood. This is similar to the term ‘beer drinker’s cardiomyopathy’, where cobalt substances in beer are linked to cardiac ailments. According to Dr. Tower, it is actually better to consider a non metal-on-metal hip implant.
If grave complications such as cardiomyopathy are already present, it may be difficult to perform a revision surgery, because the risks are even more serious because of the anesthesia. Before a second hip replacement is performed, the condition of the patient should be stabilized first.
Seeing a medical expert should be your priority, especially in the presence of heart ailments. After that, a hip recall lawyer can be consulted to file a lawsuit against the company. Pressing charges will help you receive the damages that you have incurred from the DePuy hip replacement recall.
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