Advice from The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended surgeons stop using a particular type of metal-on-metal hip implant due to high failure rates.
The warning was issued for Mitch TRH cups / heads made by Finsbury Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, used in conjunction with Accolade femoral stems made by Stryker. Around 270 patients in England and Wales have this particular combination of metal cup and head implant
Surgeons are now being told to use alternative implants as statistics from The National Registry for England and Wales show 10.7% of patients required revision surgery four years after implantation.
The implants are no longer being manufactured or distributed and patients affected are to be closely monitored.
Metal-on-metal total hip replacements fail more frequently than other types
The advice from the UK health regulator follows a recent warning that metal-on-metal total hip replacements fail more frequently than other types. It is thought that the friction of the metal parts can cause metal debris to break off the implant and leak into the blood stream.
This can cause muscle, bone and tissue damage along with neurological problems.
The clinical director of the MHRA, Dr Susanne Ludgate, said the revision rate was unacceptably high for this particular combination of hip implant:
"That is why we have advised surgeons to stop using this combination and to monitor their patients closely.
"We have previously taken prompt action in February to investigate safety concerns and provided advice on patient management to relevant healthcare professionals."
Concerned about negligent medical treatment or diagnoses? Talk to us for advice and support today.
Our discreet and compassionate medical negligence solicitors are experienced in the full range of medical injury claims and will work with you to establish whether you have a medical negligence compensation claim.
If you, or a loved one, think you have suffered medical negligence, such as a birth injury (for example, a cerebral palsy diagnosis following a difficult birth), misdiagnosis (such as cancer misdiagnosis), or suffered negligence during an operation contact us for advice.
If the incident happened more than three years ago, you will usually not be able to make a claim for compensation. However, exceptions do apply – such as instances where you could not have reasonably known your symptoms were caused by clinical negligence, or cases involves adults who lack legal capacity or children – so contact us for advice.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.