According to a new hip implant lawsuit, Indiana resident and plaintiff Garry Amy underwent surgery to implant a metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implant in her left and right hips in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Allegedly as a direct result of the surgery, plaintiff experienced debilitating pain, discomfort and soreness in the area of her newly located hip implant.

Refusing to be in pain any more, Garry underwent a third surgery in 2014 to remove the allegedly defective Pinnacle hip implant in her left hip. Now, Amy is taking action against DePuy, bringing charges of negligence, failure to adequately warn, and manufacturing/design defects for manufacturing and selling an allegedly defective hip implant.

Health Risks of the Pinnacle Device

Manufactured and launched in 2001, the Pinnacle hip implant was designed and sold to repair human hip joints that have been damaged or diseased due to fracture, osterarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and avascular necrosis. The Pinnacle hip implant was designed in order to provide pain relief and allow smooth range of motion for patients.

However, studies released in 2006 in the Journal of Arthroplasty found that the metal hip implant eventually deforms, potentially being caused by the press-fit technique. These deformities were reportedly found in as many as 90.5 percent of the Pinnacle cups in the hip implant device.

Another study released in 2010 in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery reported that patients who received metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implants had considerably higher amounts of cobalt and chromium in their blood.

Deceptive Marketing Strategies

Depuy marketed their Pinnacle hip implant well, stating that it as the best surgical option that “recreates the natural ball-and-socket joint of our hip, increasing stability and range of motion.” Depuy also advertised that their product was designed to meet the demands of “active patients” and to “help reduce pain”.

According to the hip implant lawsuit, there have been an alleged 1,300 adverse reports that have been submitted to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration regarding failures and complications of the Pinnacle Device.

The hip implant lawsuit is Garry W. Amy v. Depuy Orthopaedics Inc., Case No. 3:14-cv-00709,  in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Take Legal Action

If you or someone you love has suffered from hip implant complications, you have legal options. Visit the Metal on Metal Replacement Hip Implant Class Action Lawsuit Investigation for more information. When you submit your information, an experienced hip implant attorney will review your case to find out if you qualify to join a metal on metal hip implant class action lawsuit.