Psuedotumours caused by metal on metal resurfacing implants (Relevant to DePuy ASR Hip Implants)

At present there are many people who have concerns over their DePuy ASR hip resurfacing systems. The reason for this is that DePuy have reported that their ASR hip replacement and hip resurfacing system have an abnormally high failure rate. In terms of statistics, this equates to 1 in 8 patients requiring revision surgery within 5 years of implantation.

The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford have published a study on the long-term biological effects of exposure to orthopaedic metal alloys. The study particularly focused on Cobalt and Chromium ions derived from metal on metal wear debris from medical implants such as hip implants.

A pseudotumour is defined as a tumour like mass resulting from inflammation, fluid accumulation or other causes. The study has suggested that such pseudotumours may present with a major nerve palsy (which is a collective term for a range of nervous disorders that result in weakness or immobility of nerves in some region of the body).

The study advises that “preoperative neurohysiological studies showed severe and irreversible pathological changes to nerve function with neurohistopathological evidence of complete nerve destruction with a previously unreported pathological appearance”. This may represent what may be a toxic pathological process resulting from metal on metal wear debris.

This study is not directly aimed at the DePuy ASR hip implants but metal on metal hip implants as a whole. However, it does confirm that there are severe injuries which patient’s could suffer if they do not regularly seek medical advice.

If you have had a DePuy ASR hip replacement or hip resurfacing system and are experiencing adverse symptoms such as pain, swelling or having problems walking please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors to discuss whether you are entitled to claim compensation for injuries sustained as a result of a failed DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant.

The product liability team can be contacted on 01992 422 128 or email us at kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk .

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