New York, New York (PRWEB) December 25, 2012
Researchers in the U.K. are urging doctors to consider patient symptoms when determining whether or not to perform metal-on-metal hip implant revision surgery, Bernstein Liebhard LLP reports. According to a report from Orthopedics Today Europe, researchers with Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil found that while MRI and ultrasound are useful in screening metal-on-metal hip replacements, there are a significant percentage of hips which have failed with negative radiology findings. Their findings were presented at the British Orthopaedic Association Congress this past September.*
This research confirms what we have seen with some of our clientsthat pain could signal device failure, says Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing clients who sustained injuries from a variety of metal-on-metal hip systems. The firm is currently offering free and confidential lawsuit reviews to individuals who suffered serious complications, including metal poisoning, due to all-metal hips.
This latest study retrospectively examined imaging results from 25 hips (16 patients) between March 2011 and May 2012. Out of that group, 23 hips had ultrasound scans and 21 had also undergone MRI scans preoperatively. During revision surgery, multiple tissue samples were retrieved from the area surrounding the artificial joint. Four patients had both negative MRI and ultrasound results, but were still revised due to pain and were found to have histopathology positive metallosis. One patient had a positive ultrasound and negative MRI result; similarly, one patient had a positive MRI with a normal ultrasound, according to the research team.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits
Victims of metal-on-metal hip implant complications may file lawsuits against the devices manufacturers to seek compensation for their injuries. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are actively filing lawsuits in the multidistrict litigation established in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, for claims involving the DePuy ASR hip implant (MDL No. 2197). The firm is also involved in the federal litigation underway in the Northern District of Texas concerning the metal-on-metal DePuy Pinnacle hip device (MDL No. 2244). The firm is also closely following developments in the July 2012 Stryker Rejuvenate recall, and the June 2012 Smith & Nephew metal liner recall. Bernstein Liebhard LLP also continues to investigate cases concerning the Biomet M2a Magnum hip implant, as well as Wright Profemur and Conserve metal hip implants.
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), metal particles shed by metal-on-metal hip implants may result in an adverse local tissue reaction that has the potential to cause damage to bone and/or tissue surrounding the implant and joint. According to the agency, there are also some case reports in the literature of patients in which high levels of metal ions in the bloodstream may have caused other types of symptoms or illnesses elsewhere in the body, including effects on the heart, nervous system, and thyroid gland. In May 2011, the FDA issued orders for postmarket surveillance studies to manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip systems. The agency believes these studies will enable it to better understand all-metal hip implants and their safety profiles related to metal ion concentrations in the bloodstream. **
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is offering free lawsuit consultations to anyone injured as a result of a metal-on-metal hip replacement device. A wealth of information about metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuits is available at Bernstein Liebhards website http://www.consumerinjurylawyers.com/ , or by calling one of our attorneys at 1-877-779-1414 today.
*healio.com/orthopedics/hip/news/print/orthopaedics-today-europe/%7B3C85A3A3-B4BE-4F83-B4CC-CB1BAF323817%7D/Consider-both-imaging-and-symptoms-before-metal-on-metal-hip-arthroplasty-revisions#.UMwAM788udQ.wordpress
**fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/MetalonMetalHipImplants/default.htm
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993, including those who have been harmed by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices and consumer products. The firm has been named by The National Law Journal to the Plaintiffs Hot List, recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country, for the past 10 consecutive years.
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New Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Study Emphasizes Importance of Patients Symptoms in Evaluating the Need for Hip Replacement Revisions, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports
