{"id":828,"date":"2017-07-19T14:29:26","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T13:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.groupactionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/?p=828"},"modified":"2017-07-19T14:31:26","modified_gmt":"2017-07-19T13:31:26","slug":"mom-hip-replacements-potentially-causing-long-lasting-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.groupactionlawyers.co.uk\/blog\/mom-hip-replacements-potentially-causing-long-lasting-injuries","title":{"rendered":"MoM hip replacements potentially causing long-lasting injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

All Metal-on-Metal (MoM) hip replacement patients are being recalled for advice and investigation in the U.K. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recently issued an updated medical device alert on 29th<\/sup> June 2017.<\/p>\n

It’s estimated that 49,000 patients in the U.K. were given the MoM implants (with width of 36mm or above). The NHS notes that around 3,387 surgeries in 2010 used the 36mm (or above) MoM implants.
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The issue with the MoM hip replacements<\/h2>\n

The MHRA along with its independent MoM Expert Advisory Group has continually monitored the performance of those who have received MoM hip joints which may react with soft tissue. The majority of patients who have MoM hip replacements are reported to have well-functioning hips. However, there are huge concerns that some MoM hip replacements are causing the wearing down of soft tissue which is associated with the MoM articulations.<\/p>\n

Data from the 13th<\/sup> Annual Report of the National Joint Registry of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man (2016) support these assertions. Within the report they note that the particulate debris adversely reacts to patient’s soft tissue in some cases, and can cause serious lifelong injuries.<\/p>\n

Experts’ advice<\/h3>\n

The MHRA’s appointed clinical orthopaedic experts also support these assertions. They state that soft tissue necrosis may occur, and the devices also have the ability to destroy the muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. Worryingly, not all patients whose devices have failed will show symptoms. Orthopaedic experts believe that early detection of problems should allow patients to have a quicker recovery if they’re having problems.<\/p>\n

There’s no universally agreed threshold for whether blood metal levels necessitate revision straight away. The decisions to revise the MoM hip replacement are also influenced by patient factors, blood metal levels, imaging findings and implant type and position. It’s also patient specific, so other factors may need to be considered when looking at blood metal levels.<\/p>\n

MHRA’s advice<\/h3>\n

This safety alert replaces the ones previously published before i.e. in 2012, 2013 and 2015.<\/p>\n

In its medical device alert, the MHRA suggests two actions that need to be taken:<\/p>\n

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