DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a new metal hip implant lawsuit from an Arizona man alleging he needed revision surgery due to the defective nature of the company’s medical device. The man alleges he had the metal-on-metal hip implant implemented for typical treatment purposes, but still had to undergo DePuy Pinnacle revision to fix complications.

Plaintiff Jeffery E. had the Pinnacle device implant on his left hip on Nov. 11, 2009 to restore hip function. Jeffery agreed to the Pinnacle device after discussing the option with his physician and reviewing DePuy’s marketing materials.

In its promotional materials, DePuy reportedly emphasized all the benefits the Pinnacle device had to offer but did not sufficiently discuss potential device complications. At all times relevant, Jeffery says he used the metal on metal hip implant for its intended purpose and followed all physician instructions.

Even with this diligence, Jeffery still had to undergo DePuy Pinnacle revision surgery on Dec. 12, 2016. His doctors recommended revision after diagnostic tests revealed high levels of cobalt and chromium in the blood, causing him extreme discomfort.

Jeffery had difficulty walking and was in debilitating pain, with DePuy Pinnacle revision being the only option to treat his metal hip complications. Even though the allegedly defective metal hip implant had been properly explanted and replaced, Jeffery continues to need regularly medical checkups to confirm the hip implant is working as it is supposed to.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Jeffery opted to file the metal hip implant lawsuit after discovering the company may have been aware of the product’s alleged defective nature for years. According to the metal hip implant lawsuit, the FDA has received over 1,300 injury reports regarding the DePuy Pinnacle device.

This metal on metal hip implant was approved by the FDA in 2000, with numerous injury reports suggesting a high failure rate. Over the years, numerous patients have needed DePuy Pinnacle revision surgery to treat numerous implant complications including:

• Metallosis (Blood Metal Poisoning)
• Debilitating Pain
• Limited Movement
• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Tissue Death
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Infection
• Inflammation

These metal hip implant problems stem from the ball and socket components of the device, which can shed metal ions into the bloodstream when they interact. This can cause blood metal poisoning, or metallosis, which can cause inflammation and infection around the implant area.

If these problems are allowed to progress, it could result in permanent consequences for the patient. Jeffery and many other patients opted for all-metal hip implants because they are marketed to be more durable than their plastic or ceramic cousins.

In addition to being more durable and longer lasting, many metal on metal hip implants are customizable to patients. However, Jeffrey alleges the manufacturers failed to disclose all potential device complications associated with their products, to protect patients from serious medical troubles.

Jeffery is filing this metal hip implant lawsuit alleging DePuy failed to warn him and other patients against these device complications. Jeffery states he would not have agreed to using the device if he had known the chances for DePuy Pinnacle revision surgery.

This Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-03046-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.