A Colorado man alleges serious Pinnacle hip implant complications in his metal hip implant lawsuit which has been filed against the manufacturer, DePuy Orthopaedics and parent company Johnson & Johnson.

The Pinnacle hip implant complications described in the metal hip implant lawsuit had allegedly forced the man to undergo revision surgery, which ultimately compounded his medical condition.

Plaintiff Theodore B. had underwent total hip replacement surgery on his left side on Dec. 18, 2007, after opting for the medical devices after reviewing the marketing materials provided by manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, according to the lawsuit.

Along with subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson allegedly promised Theodore and his physicians that the Pinnacle device was an ideal choice or orthopedic purposes and would last longer than ceramic or plastic models.

However, not long after the metal hip implant surgery, Theodore reportedly experienced Pinnacle hip implant complications. After experiencing pain and moving difficulties, Theodore was diagnosed with metallosis and had to undergo revision surgery.

Diagnostic testing revealed elevated metal ions in the blood, along with corrosion and tissue death of the implant site. According to the metal hip implant lawsuit, the Pinnacle hip implant complications had spread beyond his left hip and had extended into his left thigh.

Theodore reportedly had trouble with simple movements including walking, standing, and sitting. These Pinnacle hip implant complications eventually forced Theodore to undergo revision surgery on Aug. 16, 2016, with surgeons removing and replacing the metal hip implant.

However, even after getting the revision surgery, Theodore reportedly continues to experience Pinnacle hip implant complications and severe pain in his left leg.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit

Theodore had opted to file the metal hip implant lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson after the company allegedly failed to adequately warn him against potential Pinnacle hip implant complications. During the litigation process, Theodore learned that there are over 1,300 injury reports of Pinnacle hip implant complications that have been submitted to the FDA.

Metal hip implants have been on the market for years, which has risen significantly in popularity in the past few years with the release of new all metal on metal hip implants on the market. Unlike plastic or ceramic models, metal hip implants do not have any other materials that may help cushion component interactions.

When the ball and socket joint interacts in the metal hip implants, metal ions may shed into the patient’s bloodstream as these pieces touch. This causes metal ions in the blood to increase significantly, which may lead to a number of other serious complications including infection, tissue death, corrosion, formation of pseudotumors, device failure, and moving difficulties.

These Pinnacle hip implant complications often force patients to undergo revision surgery, to help restore the patient’s hip mobility.

Similar to other metal hip implants, the Pinnacle hip implant was approved through the FDA’s 510(k) process. This means the Pinnacle device did not go through rigorous medical testing before being released into the market, as it was deemed substantially similar to another product already on the market, the lawsuit claims.

Even though Johnson & Johnson had known about the severity of Pinnacle hip implant complications, the company allegedly failed to warn the public. Theodore states that he would never have used the metal hip implant if he had known the risks of Pinnacle hip implant complications.

This Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-01637-K, in the U.S. District Court for thNorthern District of Texas, Dallas Division.