Texas Man Takes on DePuy in New Hip Replacement Lawsuit

On December 13, 2010, Stammer underwent right hip replacement surgery, choosing to have the DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System (“Pinnacle device”) be used for his artificial hip implant. Seven months later, in July 2011, Stammer began to experience severe pain and discomfort in his right hip and joint area. The pain became so extreme, that the plaintiff fell and broke his coccyx, which led to an even greater level of pain. It was so excruciating and debilitating, that the plaintiff could hardly laugh, sleep, cough or sneeze. Stammer had to undergo hip revision surgery on December 18, 2012, to correct the problem, according to the hip replacement lawsuit.

To this day, the plaintiff still experiences pain his right hip, and continues to have trouble walking, sitting or standing for any period of time, his hip implant lawyer says. On top of the continuing medical costs, the plaintiff has not been able to work since his hip replacement surgery in 2010. At no point in time did the defendant contact the plaintiff or his physicians about the possible hip replacement complications he could potentially face, the lawsuit continues. The plaintiff was not aware of the side effects, and if he had known, would not have opted for the metal on metal hip device.

Metal on Metal Hip Problems Plague DePuy, Stryker & Others

Some hip replacement models manufactured by DePuy and Stryker are composed of several metal parts, which have been accredited for most of the hip replacement complications the plaintiff and other patients have experienced.

These complications include hip replacement infection of the tissue in the surrounding area of the device, and blood metal poisoning (metallosis). Many medical experts state that these side effects occur because when the metal parts rub together, metal particles shed off the device components and enter the blood stream. This leads to various medical complications, which can be fatal if left untreated.

The reason why metal was incorporated into hip replacement devices was because it was predicted that they would be overall superior to their ceramic and plastic cousins. They were stronger and more durable, giving greater mobility to the patients. However, because metal on metal hip implants did not undergo preclinical trials before their release, they led to the unexpected complications.

Metal hip implants from DePuy and Stryker got into the market through the FDA’s section 510(k) policy. Under this policy, it is stated that as long a device shows it works reasonably well compared to a similar device already in the market, then the company is allowed to release the medical device on the market without testing.

Since 2002, DePuy has received over 1,300 injury reports associated with the Pinnacle hip replacement system, with the number continually growing. Additionally, the FDA received over 250 injury reports concerning hip replacement problems caused by the Pinnacle , with injuries stemming from pain, hip replacement infection, inflammation, feeling as if hip is dislocated, and metal poisoning.

File a Hip Replacement Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a defective metal on metal hip implant, you have legal options. Please visit the Stryker Metal Hip Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a product liability lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The hip replacement lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.