A Florida couple is alleging the need for revision hip surgery became prevalent soon after getting a DePuy metal hip implant implanted due to the defective nature of the device.

The couple is filing this metal hip implant lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics, alleging the companies failed to warn them against potential metal hip implant complications and the potential need for revision hip surgery.

Plaintiffs John G. and Gail G. are filing this metal hip implant lawsuit, alleging the companies failed to sufficiently describe potential device complications or that they could create the need for revision hip surgery.

According to the metal hip implant lawsuit, John underwent a total right hip replacement surgery on Jan. 9, 2004 for typical treatment purposes.

John opted for the metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implant after reviewing the company’s marketing materials which stated the Pinnacle was an ideal choice for patients looking to have an active lifestyle after surgery.

With these marketing statements in mind, John also underwent total hip replacement surgery in his left hip using the Pinnacle device on Dec. 8, 2008.

While John experienced no initial complications, the need for revision hip surgery came up in June 2016 when John says he began experiencing debilitating pain in both the left and right sides of his hips. Diagnostic tests revealed John had been suffering from metallosis or blood metal poisoning and that he would need to undergo revision hip surgery.

The procedure for his right hip took place on Oct. 11, 2016, where the device was explanted and replaced. John and his wife Gail opted to file legal action against the manufacturing companies after discovering they may have known about the problems with the Pinnacle system but failed to warn patients.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

When metal-on-metal hip implants were first released into the United States market, they were thought to be overtly superior to plastic and ceramic models.

Manufacturing companies like DePuy stated that metal-on-metal hip implants were longer lasting and had better durability than plastic or ceramic counterparts, and are ideal choices for patients looking to live a physically active lifestyle.

However, these metal-on-metal hip implants have been linked to numerous serious complications, due to the all metal ball and socket joint components interacting. When this interaction occurs, metal ions are shed into the bloodstream and cause blood ion levels to rise to dangerous levels. This can compound into a multitude of other problems including:

• Debiltating pain
• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Formation of pseudotumors
• Infection

Often patients have to undergo hip revision surgery to resolve these problems, which is considered riskier than the initial implant surgery. The Pinnacle Device has allegedly forced many patients to undergo hip revision surgery due to its defective nature, with the FDA receiving over 1,300 injury reports regarding Pinnacle Device failure or complications.

John states DePuy Orthopaedics failed to warn him against these possibilities, nor did they provide any relevant studies to him or his physician. John states she would not have gotten the Pinnacle Device implanted, if he had known the likelihood of hip revision surgery.

This Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-03513-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.