DePuy - time to stop the ticking clock
One of the main priorities now for DePuy patients is the short amount of time that may be available for those people who have been affected who are entitled to pursue a claim. In the New Year we will be meeting with our clients to assess their cases one on one and to decide on how to progress matters. In the majority of cases this will involve looking at issuing proceedings as a matter of priority in order to “stop the clock”.
Issues of particular concern
In a number of cases we have come across instances of clients who have discovered that after their hip replacements they now have raised levels of cobalt and/or chromium in their blood stream. This raises serious concerns, in particular for those who have been presented with levels of ions which are potentially toxic. What is most concerning at this stage is the number of clients who present with levels which are tens and, in some occasions, hundreds of times over the levels of what is within normal range and do so within a relatively short time after they have undergone surgery leading to a reaction known as Metallosis. While the full effects of having these raised levels are yet to be determined it is certainly something that we are focusing heavily on and we have been liaising with our experts both at home and abroad in order to learn more.
Potential effects of Metallosis
Studies in the US have revealed that the effects of Metallosis can range from hearing loss and rashes up to heart problems and other more serious difficulties. This is obviously of huge concern to those who have undergone a DePuy surgery and therefore we would recommend at this stage that it may be prudent to have blood levels independently tested to get an accurate picture of the levels of metal ions in your body.
Recent hip recall in Cork University Hospital
Two hundred and forty seven elderly patients received hemiarthroplasty hip surgeries in Cork University Hospital between 2005 and 2008. The HSE has now recalled the patients for a check-up following earlier than expected problems from 17 patients. To date, 10 patients have undergone repair surgery with a further six repair surgeries expected during the next year. Repair surgery for all 247 patients, who are currently being monitored, has not been ruled out.
The hemiarthroplasty hip surgery treats fractured hips by replacing the ball portion of the hip joint rather than the socket. The main problem with the hemiarthroplasty hip recall in CUH is the loosening of the prosthesis. While they are unconnected procedures a similar difficulty arose with the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System which resulted in a recall in August 2010.
Contact us
John M. Lynch, managing partner at Lynch and Partners, is representing DePuy patients nationwide. We have been engaging with experts in the UK, Canada, and in the US in order to keep up to date on current DePuy developments as well as sharing information with our colleagues here in Ireland on the topic. Many of you may have seen the recent Prime Time ‘out on a limb’ programme on the recall or may have attended the Patient Focus meetings we were involved in and we are committed to continue to research and highlight the DePuy issue on your behalf into the future.
Contact John, if you had DePuy surgery or a hemiarthroplasty hip surgery in CUH, at john@lynchandpartners.com or telephone 052-6124344 or Freephone 1800 750 850.
The material contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only. We advise you to seek specific advice from us about any legal decision or course of action.
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Saturday 19 May 2012
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