Using DePuy Pinnacle as Implants in Total Hip Replacement
Our hips may be one of the most underrated human body-parts. Scientifically called “coxa”, it carries the body’s upper body weight and provides stability so we can run, walk and stand. The hips also make mobility of the legs in space possible and transfer the upper body load to the thighs and then to the legs. It can greatly affect normal activities if afflicted with injuries or diseases. Common problems of the hips include arthritis and trauma. Aging has been considered as the main cause of arthritis but genetics can also be a factor such as hip dysplasia, the most common genetic cause of hip arthritis. Those with severe arthritic hips may have injuries and fractures if not given immediate attention. Also, a bone disease called osteoporosis is another that can lead to fractures.
In America, hip fracture is said to be the most common injury. The best treatment option for hip fractures is a hip replacement surgery, but the patient must be considered fit for the operation. As with any other surgery, complications are present especially if the device is defective such as in the case of Pinnacle, wherein a DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit has been filed. With increasing age, our body’s natural defenses decrease and diseases eventually sprout like mushrooms. Osteoporosis and other diseases of the joints are common and they are usually found in the upper age group around 65 and above.
Medical Management of Hip Injuries
As previously mentioned, hip replacement surgery is the best option in correcting hip traumas. However, since most sufferers belong to the elderly, there is the continuous search for less invasive surgical procedures. Hip Replacement Surgery is a procedure that is done to get rid of the injured part and will be replaced with a hip device. The goal of the surgery is to get rid of the pain and resume the function of the hips. Prognosis is generally good but complications brought by the prosthetic devices are alarming. An example would be the metal-on-metal implant called Pinnacle and manufactured by DePuy. Based on reports, patients suffered because of the premature loosening of the implants and symptoms include difficulty in any activity that exerts pressure on the hips and mobility is compromised. Also, metal bits have the possibility to enter the bloodstream that may lead to metal toxicity. A number of people have filed a DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit because of the damage and suffering it caused them.