Squeaking, pain and discomfort can be tell-tale signs of a failing hip device, but what about the unknown dangers? DePuy’s ASR XL Acetabular System hip implant exhibited an early failure rate of 12-13% within five years of placement, but what those patients didn’t know is the ASR device could leach metal debris and ions into the blood stream.
As a South Carolina personal injury lawyer I am shocked to hear that while DePuy finally announced a recall on its metal-on-metal hip devices, something entirely different could be harming its patients. Apparently, corrosion can form at the juncture of the metal ball and socket near the acetabular notch in the hip, which acts like a channel for nerves and blood vessels, creating a pathway of toxic ions to enter the bloodstream.
In addition to the toxic ions, metal debris from the device can migrate into surrounding soft tissue where it forms non-cancerous inflammatory tumors and ignites allergic metal reactions in some patients.
As more information is exposed about DePuy’s recall, it is increasingly important to have a DePuy hip implant lawyer on your side, especially if you are a hip implant patient who has been tested for high levels of chromium and cobalt in your bloodstream.