Regulators have announced they will start an inquiry into the use of metal-on-metal hips in hip replacement operations amid fears tens of thousands of patients across the UK could be at risk of blood poisoning and other health problems.
This announcement follows the publication of a report by the Sunday Telegraph which shows more than 30,000 hip replacement patients across the country received a potentially faulty metal-on-metal hip.
Metal-on-metal hips have been reported to suffer significantly higher failure rates than other models of replacement hip. Two particular models of metal-on-metal hip, The DePuy ASR and DePuy ASR XL, have already been recalled as these showed failure rates of up to 50% after just six year.
Metal-on-metal hip units cause problems when friction between the metal parts of the joint causes metal to be released into the blood stream and soft tissue surrounding the joint. When this happens patients can suffer blood poising, recurring pain, swelling, loss of mobility as well as seemingly unrelated problems such as headaches.
Despite evidence of other models of metal-on-metal hips also showing high failure rates, many models of metal-on-metal hip continue to be used in hip replacement operations across the country.
Guidance provided by medical regulators recommends patients with particular models of metal-on-metal hip receive regular check-ups from their hospital however, The British Orthopeadic Association has expressed fears not all patients have been contacted by their hospital.
Patients with metal-on-metal hips complaining of pain should be offered blood tests to establish the levels of cobalt and chromium in their bloodstream as well as MRI and Ultrasound scans so as to check for soft tissue damage.
Holmes & Hills has a team of specialist personal injury lawyers and clinical negligence representing clients across the country in relation to wide variety of compensation claims.
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