Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of claimants alleging they needed to undergo DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery.

One of the most recent DePuy metal hip lawsuits comes from a New Hampshire couple, alleging the woman needed to undergo DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery due to hip implant complications.

Plaintiffs Lisa H. and Jeffery H. are filing legal action against Johnson & Johnson after Lisa needed DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery due to the defective nature of the company’s metal-on-metal hip implants.

According to the DePuy Pinnacle hip revision lawsuit, Lisa underwent total left hip replacement on Sept. 14, 2010 with the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system.

According to the plaintiffs, the DePuy Pinnacle is marketed as “uniquely designed to meet the demands of active patients” and a product that would “help reduce pain.” Marketing materials used an image of a young woman trying on sneakers in an athletic store.

The DePuy Pinnacle is a metal-on-metal hip implant that is often prescribed to patients needing to undergo hip replacement surgery, and is also marketed as a superior choice compared to ceramic or plastic models. With these marketing statements in mind, Lisa agreed to undergo hip replacement surgery and did not experience any initial complications.

Lisa says she eventually experienced severe pain, discomfort and inflammation in her left hip joint and pain throughout her leg. Lisa also experienced extreme difficulty while walking, which eventually forced her to see her physician.

Diagnostic images taken on March 25, 2016 revealed significant damage in soft tissue surrounding the implant area and metal particles that were trapped in the hip joint due to the metal hip implant components.

These complications eventually forced Lisa to undergo DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery on Aug. 2, 2016, during which the device’s metal liner and polyethylene liner and femoral head were replaced. Even after the DePuy Pinnacle revision surgery, Lisa says she continues to experience pain and suffering from hip implant complications.

Lisa opted to file legal action against the prosthetic manufacturer, alleging the company knew their product was defective in nature and failed to warn her against the likelihood of DePuy Pinnacle revision surgery.

Overview of DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Complications

The DePuy Pinnacle and other metal on metal hip implants are marketed as overtly superior to plastic or ceramic hip implants, with manufacturers stating they are more durable and longer lasting.

In addition, these products were customizable to patients, which made them vastly popular for younger patients wanting to live an active lifestyle.

However, the alleged design flaw in metal-on-metal hip implants stems from the all-metal ball and socket joint components, which may shed metal ions into the bloodstream when they interact.

This may cause the hip implant to corrode and fret, and may also cause infection and tissue death to the surrounding area. These problems could create the need for DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery.

Lisa and Jeffery’s DePuy Pinnacle hip revision lawsuit is being filed in MDL No. 2244, where it will stand alongside other claims also alleging the need for DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery.

This DePuy Pinnacle Hip Revision Lawsuit Case No. 3:18-cv-00335-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.