Metal-on-Metal DePuy Pinnacle Hip Premature Failure

The Pinnacle caused a number of painful side effects

People who were implanted with the metal-on-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant were probably told that they were getting a new lease on life. Many who received this hip device were led to believe that they would be free of pain, regain mobility and be able to participate in activities they loved. Unfortunately, many patients who received the DePuy Pinnacle found their post-operative experience to be just the opposite. In fact, mounting lawsuits across the country allege that the Pinnacle caused a number of painful side effects that ultimately forced them to undergo another surgery to remove or fix the implant. Our firm is representing individuals who suffered complications allegedly due to the Pinnacle.

When the hip socket component of the DePuy Pinnacle is used with a metal liner, the implant falls into the category of metal-on-metal hip implants. Allegedly, the essential defect of this device is its all-metal design which causes early failure and the need for a revision surgery to remove or otherwise correct the problem. People who have been implanted with the Pinnacle allege that it has caused a number of complications, including:

• Loosening of the implant
• Necrosis (death of tissue) or soft tissue damage
• Elevated levels of cobalt and chromium ions
• Severe pain that spreads to the groin and/or back
• Osteolysis, or damage to the bone cells
• Fluid collections or pseudotumors
• Difficulty standing or walking; limited mobility
• Revision surgery (second surgery needed to correct or replace implant)

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), metal particles can cause these complications because the metal parts slide against each other; this is known as articulation. The metal particles, typically cobalt and chromium ions, can seep into the bloodstream or tissue surrounding the implant. This can cause “adverse local tissue reaction” or damage to the soft tissues. It is also sometimes referred to as an “adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD).” Plaintiffs in DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits may be able to receive compensation to help pay for ongoing medical bills related to injuries from the implant.

Some of the problems that have sparked the filing of DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuits include:

• Unexplained Hip Pain
• Difficulty Standing or Walking
• Loss of Mobility
• Loosening of a DePuy Pinnacle Hip
• Hip Replacement Failure
• Additional Hip Revision Surgery

There have been numerous injury reports related to the DePuy Pinnacle. In fact, the FDA received at least 709 adverse event reports over the Pinnacle between July and September 2011 and 556 between January and June 2011 compared to 556 for all of 2010. These statistics suggest that the number of injury reports related to the Pinnacle is on the rise. In 2011 there were a total of 1,265 adverse event reports for the Pinnacle, 450 of them were confirmed to be with the metal-on-metal version.

Need Legal Help Regarding DePuy Pinnacle Hip?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).