DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a new DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit from a Connecticut woman and her husband claiming major hip implant complications.

The DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit alleges that as a direct result of the company’s metal-on-metal hip implant, the claimants experienced serious implant complications that required additional procedures to resolve.

According to the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit, plaintiff Joanne F. had undergone total right hip replacement on Dec. 9, 2005, using a Pinnacle Device with an Ultamet liner. Soon after the procedure, however, Joanne reportedly began experiencing severe pain, inflammation, and discomfort in the implant area.

Diagnostic testing revealed that the Pinnacle Device was experiencing wear and friction, causing metal ions to be shed into Joanne’s bloodstream. This allegedly caused the development of metallosis, or blood metal poisoning, which compounded the damage in the surrounding tissue and bone of the hip implant.

Due to these complications, Joanne had to undergo revision surgery on June 7, 2016, to explant and replace the Pinnacle Device. Joanne had decided to file her DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit after learning the manufacturing company may have been aware of potential complications associated with metal-on-metal hip implants.

Overview of DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Lawsuit

Like other patients who opted for the DePuy Pinnacle device, Joanne had been recommended the metal hip implant by her physician after reviewing the product’s packaging. All metal hip implants are marketed to be overtly superior to ceramic and plastic models, due to their durability and customizable features.

Metal hip implants are especially popular with younger orthopedic patients who live a more active lifestyle.

Metal on metal hip implants are composed of all metal components, with no ceramic or plastic parts to prevent fretting. This means that when the ball and socket joint of the device interact, there is nothing preventing metal ions from entering the bloodstream. This may ultimately lead to metallosis, which impairs the patient’s condition by potentially causing infection, fretting, corrosion, tissue death, and formation of pseudotumors.

Many patients are ultimately forced to undergo revision surgery to correct these problems, which is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure. Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, DePuy allegedly failed to warn Joanne and other patients.

According to Joanne’s DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit, the company either knew or should have known the risks associated with metal hip implants. At all times relevant, Joanne had only used the device for its intended purpose and did not deviate from medical instruction.

Joanne stated that she never would have opted for the DePuy Pinnacle device if she had known about the potential metal hip complications. Joanne’s husband Rocco F. is joining her DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuit with a claim for loss of consortium.

This DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-01268-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.