Free legal advice for metal-on-metal hip replacement patients: call Jacqui Sayer on 01376 529298.

Holmes & Hills Solicitors offer specialist no-win, no-fee legal advice to those individuals who believe they have been fitted with a metal-on-metal hip replacement joint. Our team of specalist personal injury solicitors are acting for a large number of clients across the country, working on their behalf to make compensation claims against the manufacturers of these metal on metal hips.

Holmes & Hills Solicitors have previously raised concerns over particular models of hip used in operations – the Depuy ASR XL and the DePuy ASR hip resurfacing units. After conducting investigations, Holmes & Hills’ personal injury solicitors are now gathering evidence relating to all models of metal hips, advising and representing claimants across the country.

The UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) – responsible for overseeing the safety of medicines and medical devices – has released an announcement warning of the possible dangers of all metal-on-metal hips. In addition to this, following research into failure rates of all metal-on-metal hip units, researchers have called for the use of metal-on-metal hip replacements in UK hospitals to be banned.  

What is a metal-on-metal hip replacement joint?

Metal-on-metal hip joints refer to those where both the ball and the socket of the artificial hip are made of metal. There are a number of different models of these hips made by several large manufacturers.

Metal-on-Metal hip replacement units continue to be used in hip replacement operations by hospitals across the country despite widespread fears over their safety. Metal hips have been used in many thousands of operations across the UK and were often used in younger patients as they were believed to last longer than other non-metal models.   

Failure rates of metal-on-metal hip replacements:

It is estimated that the DePuy hip replacement units, which were recalled in August 2010, can fail in as many as 21% of cases after four years and up to 49% after six.

Statistics released recently following research into other models of metal-on-metal hip replacement show it is not just those models manufactured by DePuy which have high failure rates. In fact the majority of, if not all, metal-on-metal hip units are at a greater risk of failing than non-metal units.

Health issues related with metal-on-metal hips:

Where replacement metal hip joints fail they can cause individuals to suffer:

• Persistent or recurring pain
• Swelling around the hip
• Loss of feeling in the hip or leg
• Loss of movement and mobility
• Headaches, nausea and other symptoms not obviously connected to the joint
• In the most serious of cases, blood poisoning

What your hospital should be doing:

The announcement by the Medical & Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) encourages doctors, surgeons and hospitals to contact and periodically follow-up patients who have received a metal hip joint.

Holmes & Hills are aware that not all hospitals have made contact with all patients fitted with a metal-on-metal hip and may not have called patients back for check-ups and blood tests.

What you can do:

If you are suffering from any of the health problems listed above, know you have a metal hip or are unsure what hip you have been fitted with, you should contact one of our solicitors for free advice. They will be able to advise you on:

- Whether your hospital used metal-on-metal hip replacements

- How you can find out what type of hip unit you have been fitted with

- Whether any problems you are suffering may be linked to your hip replacement unit

- Who the best person to approach is if you require medical attention

- How you can make a claim for compensation