DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a new lawsuit, alleging that the claimant suffered serious device complications from the DePuy Pinnacle hip system.

The lawsuit was recently filed by a woman from Illinois alleging the DePuy Pinnacle hip system was defective in nature and posed serious risks to her health.

Plaintiff Laureen M. say she had the DePuy Pinnacle hip system implanted for typical treatment purposes.

She alleges she suffered serious device complications related to metal on metal hip problems.

The DePuy Pinnacle hip system consists of all metal hip components, which simulate hip joint movements and help the patient live a normal life.

DePuy Orthopaedics markets the DePuy Pinnacle hip system as a safe and reliable prosthetic system for patients who need to undergo hip replacement surgery.

Laureen says she was one of these patients, with her orthopedic physician stating she needed to have her right hip joint replaced in 2007.

Overview of DePuy Metal Hip Lawsuit

According to the DePuy metal hip lawsuit, Laureen underwent this surgery on Sept. 5, 2007 and had the DePuy Pinnacle hip system implanted. However, Laureen reportedly began experiencing serious device complications not long after the procedure.

Like other metal on metal hip implants, the DePuy Pinnacle hip system consists of all metal ball and socket joint components. However, metal ions are allegedly shed into the bloodstream when all metal the ball and socket joint components interact.

This causes blood metal ion levels to rise to dangerous levels, which develops into metallosis. According to the lawsuit, blood tests indicated that Laureen had dangerously high levels of chromium and cobalt in her blood on Dec. 20, 2016.

Even though metal on metal hip implants were marketed as overtly superior compared to plastic or ceramic models, they are reportedly prone to high early failure rates.

Metal on metal hip implants were also marketed to be more durable and longer lasting than the plastic or ceramic models, with manufacturers marketing them as customizable for patients.

However, metal hip implants like the DePuy Pinnacle hip system are allegedly prone to prematurely failing in patients. Most of the device failure incidents stem from metallosis, which can cause a multitude of other problems including:

• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Early Device Failure
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Tissue Death
• Debilitating Pain
• Limited Movement
• Bone Loss
• Formation of Pseudotmuors

Laureen says she suffered a number of these complications and was forced to undergo revision surgery to have the DePuy Pinnacle hip system removed on Aug. 21, 2017. It is important to note that revision surgery is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure due to higher risk of infection.

Even though the DePuy Pinnacle hip system carried the risk of serious metal hip implant complications, the manufacturer allegedly failed to the public.

At all times relevant, Laureen and her physician allegedly relied on the marketing materials provided by DePuy Orthopaedics.

Laureen states that she would not have agreed to have the DePuy Pinnacle hip system implanted, if she had been aware of the risk of early device complications. Laureen is seeking damages in her DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit, for counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This DePuy Pinnacle Hip Lawsuit is Laureen M. v. DePuy Orthopaedics, Case No. 1:18-cv-05657, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County Department, Law Division.