Study Shows MRIs Can Detect Hip Implant Problems Early

A study published in the May 2013 edition of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery shows that MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be used to detect metal hip implant failure before the pain begins for the patient. With this technology, doctors were able to detect tissue damage caused by the metal ions of the hip replacement implants in certain areas of the patient’s body.

This study involved 68 patients with failed metal-on-metal hip implants who used an MRI to find inflammation in various parts of the patients’ hips. This study shows that MRIs could potentially be used to prevent the tissue damage caused by metal hip implant failures to prevent the patient from undergoing intense pain, and to prevent multiple revision surgeries.

• 68% indicated no problems with pain or device failure;
• 75% had a known mechanical defect or failure; and
  
• 78% had unexplained hip pain.

From the findings, people without symptoms of hip implant problems were already experiencing tissue damage caused by metal-on-metal implants without even realizing it. Dr. Hollis Potter, chief of the Division of Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Hospital for Special Surgery, is one of the authors of this study and insisted that an MRI may catch tissue damage before it becomes worse and complicates revision surgery.

This study was initiated because of the large amount of hip replacement failure reports by patients and the devastating results it brought with them. Not long after metal-on-metal hip implants were released, it soon became prevalent that many patients had started suffering from inexplicable pain, and often had to undergo revision surgeries to correct the complications.

These complications are primarily caused by metallosis, or metal poisoning in the blood. This occurs with metal-on-metal and even in partial metal hip implants, because metal ions corrode off the product as the patient moves the ball-and-socket joint against each other. This causes metal ions to be released into the bloodstream, leading to various and sometimes deadly medical complications.

When the FDA announced to the public these dangers, many people opted not to get metal hip implants, whether they were full or partial, at all. Manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip implants are now contending with dwindling sales, and thousands of lawsuits from previous customers.

Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest health-care products manufacturer, recalled its DePuy ASR hip implant in 2010, and now faces at least 1,200 federal lawsuits related to their metal-on-metal hip implant product. The company is currently in the middle of phasing out all production of metal hip implants due to its mass of loss of sales and bad press.

Following similar suit, Stryker issued a voluntary recall for its Rejuvenate and ABG II metal hip models in 2012. The recall alone is estimated to have cost the company $390 million, and its profit fell more than 13% in the first quarter in 2013.

It still remains to be seen if the availability of fewer metal-on-metal hip implants on the market will change the number of cases of premature hip failure and tissue damage.

Despite the results of the HSS study, cost remains the biggest obstacle from MRIs being planted as standard practice for metal hip implant patients. The study could potentially influence the way doctors may test for metal-on-metal hip implant tissue damage in the future.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a metal hip implant injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Stryker Metal Hip Implant Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned metal hip implant lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The hip implant attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.