DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit Update: Rottenstein Law Group Notes That Number of Pending Pinnacle Lawsuits Reaches Nearly 4,000

Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2013 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit


Metal-on-metal hip replacements such as the DePuy Pinnacle have been in the news* frequently because of hip lawsuits related to the devices’ alleged side effects, such as metal poisoning. The Rottenstein Law Group, a DePuy Pinnacle law firm, notes that pending Pinnacle lawsuits in federal courts are numbering almost 4,000, according to court documents in In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2244.
The nationwide lawsuits are managed as a consolidation called “multidistrict litigation” in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. That the number of lawsuits has reached nearly 4,000 is not a surprise to Rottenstein Law Group Principal Rochelle Rottenstein.
“On a daily basis we receive calls from those who believe their metal-on-metal hip implants such as the DePuy Pinnacle have injured them,” Rottenstein said. “It is only appropriate that the issue be decided in the court system.”

Read full story at PRWeb.com: DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit Update: Rottenstein Law Group Notes That Number of Pending Pinnacle Lawsuits Reaches Nearly 4,000

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DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit Update: Rottenstein Law Group Notes That Number of Pending Pinnacle Lawsuits Reaches Nearly 4,000

by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit


Metal-on-metal hip replacements such as the DePuy Pinnacle have been in the news* frequently because of hip lawsuits related to the devices’ alleged side effects, such as metal poisoning. The Rottenstein Law Group, a DePuy Pinnacle law firm, notes that pending Pinnacle lawsuits in federal courts are numbering almost 4,000, according to court documents in In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2244.
The nationwide lawsuits are managed as a consolidation called “multidistrict litigation” in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. That the number of lawsuits has reached nearly 4,000 is not a surprise to Rottenstein Law Group Principal Rochelle Rottenstein.
“On a daily basis we receive calls from those who believe their metal-on-metal hip implants such as the DePuy Pinnacle have injured them,” Rottenstein said. “It is only appropriate that the issue be decided in the court system.”

Read full story at PRWeb.com: DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit Update: Rottenstein Law Group Notes That Number of Pending Pinnacle Lawsuits Reaches Nearly 4,000

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Femur Fracture and the Risks It Involves

Posted on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Femur fracture is otherwise known as the break in the thigh bone. It is the part that may be found between the hip and the knee. Femur fracture has two kinds: open and close. Most of the femur fractures are closed fracture, which means that it does not penetrate to the skin as opposed to open femur fracture. This bone is basically strong and it takes a large amount of force or pressure to break it. A head-on collision, fall or other injuries with sufficient force may break the femur shaft. A person clinically diagnosed with osteoporosis or other diseases affecting bone density may be exposed to greater risks of developing fractures which requires the need for using a dangerous medical device as treatment.

Symptoms of femur fracture may be easily observed. According to orthopaedic experts, severe pain and inability to walk are among its primary signs. Bleeding in substantial amounts and discoloration within the surrounding area (which leaves a black mark) is also one of the symptoms of femur fracture.

Patients who are diagnosed with femur fracture stand at risks of developing blood clots. Swelling and immobility following the treatment may disrupt regular blood flow as indicated by medical data. Anemia or low blood count may also arise due to this condition. In cases in which the fractured femur breaks the layers of the skin, the risk of developing infection increases. There are also other complications that are rarely observed, namely nerve damage and compartment syndrome. The former may result in the numbness or weakness in the lower legs and the latter may compress the nerves, blood vessels in one closed space in the body.  Most often it happens in the thigh area where there is substantial bleeding and inflammation.

Surgical treatments for this type of fracture may also lead to surgical complications. Devices such as DePuy Pinnacle may destabilize the bone and results to severe pain and irritation. Nerve damage is also a possible surgical complication. Treatment for thigh bone fracture often involves surgery, rehabilitation and medication. Each treatment carries with it a potential adverse effect as for any other treatment citing opinions by medical experts. It is deemed best that treatment as well as its possible risks be discussed thoroughly by the patient and the health care provider.


URL References:


  • exitcare.com/pdf_files/example_titles/ec_ip_Femoral-Shaft-Fracture_02-08.pdf
  • freemd.com/femur-fracture/complications.htm
  • orthoanswer.org/hip/femur-fractures/complications.html

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Anorexic Patient is at Risk of Developing Osteoporosis

Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Anorexia nervosa is considered as a risk factor to cause osteoporosis, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports, affirming mental health studies conducted beforehand. This ailment usually ends up in a surgical procedure such as hip replacement, against which persistent reports claimed that failed metal on metal hip replacement might cause health problems after revision.

Osteoporosis is a disorder affecting the bones of the body. When a person is stricken with the ailment, his bones become brittle because of the loss in bone density and are easier to break. This type of condition happens among ageing women and those who are diagnosed with eating disorder known asanorexia. People affected with anorexia looks for ways to treat such eating disorder. However, the insufficiency of calcium in the body is usually the main reason for the primary development of osteoporosis.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder common in people who fear gaining weight. They are paranoid of being overweight when, in fact, they are awfully thin. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent of females have it. While the majority of people with anorexia are female, an estimated five to 15 percent of them are male, the WebMD says.

Those stricken with anorexia sternly restrict their dietary consumption. The illness is being linked to several health issues which in certain instances may lead to death. Anorexia nervosa holds a major physical magnitude which has affected individuals experiencing nutritional and hormonal problems that has negative impact on bone density. For example, when a woman possesses truncated body weight, her body will stop producing estrogen, thereby causing amenorrhea or absent menstrual periods.  The low estrogen levels subsidize to the important losses in bone density.

Furthermore, individuals with anorexia often yield disproportionate amounts of the adrenal hormone cortisol, which is known to trigger bone loss. Other problems – such as a decrease in the production of growth hormone and other growth factors, low body weight (apart from the estrogen loss it causes), calcium deficiency, and malnutrition – contribute to bone loss in girls and women with anorexia. Weight loss, restricted dietary intake, and testosterone deficiency may be responsible for the low bone density found in males who have had the disorder.

Studies suggest that low bone mass (osteopenia) is common in people with anorexia and that it occurs early in the course of the disease. Girls with anorexia are less likely to reach their peak bone density and therefore may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture throughout life which causes excruciating pain leading to a surgical procedure such as DePuy Pinnacle.

URL REFERENCES:

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/osteoporosis_ff.asp
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/anorexia-nervosa/anorexia-and-osteoporosis?page=2
http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/reasons-why-anorexia-may-be-a-cause-for-osteoporosis/

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Arthritis Patient Succumbs To Sedentary Life

Posted on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Study shows that people stricken with arthritis succumb to sedentary lifestyle due to the pain and physical restrictions, according to About.com website.  A disease which may lead to an implantation of an artificial device such as Depuy pinnacle which was reported by a british surgeon to BBC.

Unlike in the United States wherein device registries are still emerging, there are some other countries which already have device registries that track the inserted device performance on patients with problem on their hips and knees. It has already been existing in countries such as Australia and England compared to the United States, BBC News said.

The report added that a joint BBC Newsnight and the British Medical Journal investigation report that problems with such device have been long known, but no action was taken to stop it from being distributed. It added that the all-metal hips have a high failure rate and rubbing between the ball and cup can cause metal to break off, seeping into tissue and causing complications, BBC News reports.

However, despite the fact that arthritis-stricken patients were being advised to engage into an exercise program as a prevention of any artificial device implantation, most of them still put limitations in what they can do and blame arthritis for it. Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metallic disturbances, or other causes, defined by answers.com.

Sedentary lifestyle on the other hand is a medical term used to describe a type of lifestyle with irregular physical activity.   That person can also be known as a couch potato, whose activities include sitting, reading, watching television, playing certain video games, and computer use for much of the day with little or no vigorous physical exercise.  This may contribute too many preventable causes of death, according to the Boomer, Health and Lifestyle.

One of these health problems which may lead to death is arthritis. This illness may grow worse if a person continues to embrace his or her situation through living a sedentary lifestyle rather than fighting back through having an active lifestyle. Having an active lifestyle is not limited to getting into sports only or  doing exercise, rather  a person can also engage into simple activities such as walking somewhere instead of driving and climbing stairs instead of taking elevators, About.com website says.

Although, this may be unrealistic to people stricken with moderate to severe arthritis, because it is  quite possible that their disability interferes with walking long distances or stair climbing, but  they should still make effort to move more while respecting their limitations. Some people find exercise as boring but they need to think out of the box and do something like  go swimming, bicycle, hiking and others which may lessen the risk of worsening their condition, About.com reported.

But what makes it more enjoyable is that people stricken with arthritis may have a buddy with whom they can share the activities rather than doing it alone.  Doing so may prevent a person from deteriorating which may lead to a hip or knee replacement which has been a subject of several complaints supporting several Depuy pinnacle lawsuit.

URL References:

http://arthritis.about.com/od/preventionandriskfactors/a/reasons_to_exercise.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17192520
http://www.thirdage.com/news/sedentary-lifestyle-tv-advertising-make-perfect-storm-for-childhood-obesity_06-27-2011

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Newly Found Gene May Control Osteoporosis

Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

A new gene responsible for modulating bone mass in human has been discovered, reports a home-grown Canadian group of researchers, declaring a scientific breakthrough. This recent findings from the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) showed the emergence of a risk factor for developing osteoporosis, Science Daily says. Disorder in the hip bone at times lead patients to artificial implants and litigation over defective products. However, "Tennessee Man Files Pinnacle Hip Replacement Lawsuit".

Osteoporosis is results to the lowering in bone mass and changes in bone structure that leads to a weakening of the bones.  It is considered as a “silent” genetic disease which may lead to fractures and cause severe impact upon a person’s life, the osteoporosisadvice.com website says.

As a bone disorder, osteoporosis is also characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue. It attacks some of the main areas in joints, especially in the hips and spine, as well as on the wrist, where fractures often occur. In all cases, the disease is caused by an imbalance between the formation and resorption of bone tissue, the Science Daily says.

The lead researcher, Dr. Jean Vacher, director of the Cellular interactions and Development and Resorptions, says that the overall objective of their research is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that identify the balance between bone formation and resorption. He added that osteoblasts are responsible for making bones and work in synergy with osteoclasts, which reshape the bone, according to the Science Daily. This discovery shows the bone joint adjusting, regulating or adapting itself to a certain proportion.

Dr. Vacher further says that to gain insight into these complex mechanisms, his team is studying the role of new genes that influence osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Researchers recently isolated a gene that modulates osteoclasts. They found, in mice, that a loss of this gene's function leads to a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts, thereby generating an even higher level of bone resorption, Science Daily says.

This gene has been identified as a novel modulator of bone mineral density in mice and humans. More importantly, new findings showed that the human gene could represent a new susceptibility factor for osteoporosis. Hence, this discovery will help identify individuals with greater predisposition to the disease who could benefit from preventive measure, Science Daily reports.

The best way to prevent osteoporosis from developing in your system is to  maintain an active and healthy  lifestyle through  regular exercise. Not only does exercise reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis but as well as lessen the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, netdoctor.co.uk website says, adding that it has a positive effect on mental well-being.

The types of exercise that are believed to be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis are weight-bearing, such as walking or aerobics. Research recommended daily intake of calcium for an adult is around 800mg. If this regimen is followed religiously by the people, the number of hip implants will decrease as well as the filing of Pinnacle Lawsuit.


URL REFERENCES:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/osteoporosistreatment.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004132534.htm
http://www.osteoporosisadvice.com/define.php

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Disadvantages Of Being An Athlete

Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Those people who were active in sports during their adolescence are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis from femur damage, medical experts say. This confirms the assumption that partaking in high-intensity sports may had been the most possible reason, according to the Science Daily website. Recently, three U.S. senators announced "a bill which seeks increased monitoring of 510 (k) approved all metal hip implants".


For the duration of the childhood and adolescence, spirited sports activities such as basketball, may cause abnormal development of the femur in young athletes. Strenuous physical exertion may result to a deformed hip with reduced rotation and intense pain during movement, the Science Daily says.

Hip-straining sports activities may explain why athletes are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than more sedentary individuals, according to Dr. Klaus Siebenrock, who leads a medical research team from the University of Bern in Switzerland. Siebenrock and colleagues have published their work online in Springer's Journal  of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Siebenrock and his colleagues discovered that osteoarthritis of the hip was more predominant in high-level athletes than in those who do not take part in regular sports, reports the Science Daily online resource.

Osteoarthritis of the hip was also linked to higher-intensity activities and greater physical loading of the hip, Siebenrock was quoted as saying. He distinguished that other surveys have discovered that male athletes, specifically those who play soccer and handball, and take part in competitive track and field events relating to  running and jumping, are at better risk of early osteoarthritis of the hip, the Science Daily says.

Siebenrock and teammates made a comparison of  the occurrence of cam-type hip disfigurement among elite athletes during childhood and adolescence and age-matched controls. Cam-type hip misshapenness is a ailment categorized by abnormal bone development on the head of the femur affecting the contact between the femur and the hip socket. They observed at the physical condition and wide array of mobility of 72 hips in 37 male professional basketball players and 76 hips in 38 controlled participants who had not participated in high-level sports.

They secured proof of irregularity at the head of the femur, leading to peculiar interaction between the femur and the hip socket, in men and adolescents who played in an elite basketball club since they were eight years old. As a result, internal hip cycle was lessened and hip motion were more likely to be painful. These changes became more noticeable after shutting of the femoral growth plate through late adolescence. Overall, the athletes were 10 times more likely to have impaired hip function than the controlled ones.

"Our data propose that this hip deformity is in part a developmental deformity, and its manifestation in young adulthood may be initiated by environmental factors such as high-level sports activity during childhood and around the time of closure of the femoral growth plate.

Given the part of the irregularity in deteriorating instabilities in the hip, morphological sorts of the femur resulting from dynamic sporting activity are a key element in the higher incidence of hip osteoarthritis observed in athletes," the research concluded. Because of this, more former athletes undergo hip replacement to relieve themselves from hip pains due to osteoarthritis. Though, instead of getting  the ease, hip implants usually may aggravate  the patient’s condition which may  lead into the filing a "Pinnacle lawsuit".

URL References:


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719111107.htm
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/hipsurgery/a/hiparthritis.htm



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Tips On Osteoarthritis Prevention

Posted on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Some tips have been suggested for the prevention of osteoarthritis. Those who usually develops the ailment are those already 60 years older or those who are overweight. Even though, researchers have yet to find the cause or causes of this devastating ailment, regular exercise displays to significantly lessen a person’s risk of getting it, according to the hipjointpainrelief.com website.

There is nothing better than looking among all the natural health remedies available, the website says, showing that exercise provides effective pain management for osteoarthritis.

The site also discusses about osteoarthritis abolishing the cartilage, a form of tissue that offers a pillow-like layer between the joints. When a person doesn’t exercise, the joints become stiff and osteoarthritis is hastened. This is because joints need lubrication in order to function properly, and exercise increases this lubrication in order to function properly, and exercise brings about this lubrication in more quantities, resulting in a reduction in pain and stiffness.

To avoid the muscles and tendons supporting the joints from becoming weak, a natural incidence such as  supporting joints from becoming weak. According to the hipjointpainrelief.com website, these muscles and tendons become tougher with workout, and the joints they support receive the added support they need.

A person keeping a sedentary lifestyle may experience osteoarthritis, which also cause heart disease, high-blood pressure, some cancers, and even diabetes.

A surge of a simple 10 pounds in a person’s ideal body weight increases stress in a person’s knee joints when he/she walks. If osteoarthritis deteriorates, it stop a person from normal walking or jogging.

In case it has been a while since a person had engaged in regular physical activity, participating in water-based exercise such as water aerobics is an excellent place to start. The buoyancy of the water will lessen the stress in a person’s joints.

If the person is already inflicted with osteoarthritis, engaging in simple but related forms of exercise will benefit the person immeasurably. Yoga, Pilates and similar exercises increase the person’s “range of motion” and thereby lessen joint stiffness.

However, there is a need to consult a doctor before undergoing heavy exercise. It is important to be cautious prevent oneself from  harm which may lead to hip ruptures that may lead to a hip implant surgery such as DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement which got a lot of  DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit filing.

URL REFERENCE:

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/exercising-with-osteoarthritis
http://www.hipjointpainrelief.com

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Omega 3 Can Prevent Osteoarthritis

Posted on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Hip implant can be avoided when men and women maintains fish oil supplement which help boost healthier bone according to several studies. It decreases the number of Depuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement patients. A hip pain made a woman from Nebraska discover higher level of metal in her bloodstream following her 2007 hip replacement surgery.

According to the Medical Daily website, Omega-3 fish oil may slow down the build-up of osteoarthritis. However, the researchers needed more evidences to prove the effectiveness of Omega-3 for osteoarthritis prevention

What are considered as a healthy part of diet are the fish and fish oil because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

The Medical Daily website mentions that Omega-3 fatty acid can be obtained from oil in tuna, salmon, mackerel and trout or other sources, including walnuts, flax seed, soybeans and kidney beans.

It also defines osteoarthritis being characterized by degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint as well as bony overgrowth. What leads the pain and joint stiffness, a malady commonly affecting the knees hips and hands is through the breakdown of the tissue as stated by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC).

Once proven that Omega -3 fish oil is very effective, it will lower the number of patients into hip implants. According to Medline Plus website that the hip implantation surgery may not have to be considered for people with severe hip damage. The replacement with a man-made artificial part is called Hip replacement which is the removal of the cartilage and bone. A hip replacement guarantees patients of pain relief and helps a person joint work better, and improve walking and other movements.

Patients will most likely to experience discomfort after undergoing a Depuy Pinnacle hip replacement. Hip location the primary problem after surgery. Because a man-made hip is smaller than the original joint, the ball comes out of its socket. It is prone to blood clots and infections. Hip implant will change a person life especially who are into high-impact sports activities. Perhaps a Depuy Pinnacle hip replacement lawsuit can be the best option if you experience inconvenience and discomfort after surgery.


URL REFERENCES:

http://www.intense-workout.com/fish_oil.html
http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20111017/7446/osteoarthritis-omega-3-fatty-acid-fish-oil-flax-oil-reduce-arthritis-eliminate-osteoarthritis.htm



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Hip Replacement Devices

Posted on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit



Hips deteriorating are one of the things that will sooner or later happen. With this, one of the most valuable devices is the so called hip replacement device where in when the hips will be at its worst condition; this medical device will replaced the diseased hip for one to properly function again. As we all know, a diseased hip will just gives us difficulties like painful walking which can in the long run lead to immobility. However, when the time will come that we will be faced with deteriorating hips, we should be very careful about choosing what hip replacement device to use because of the issues being thrown at the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement and FDA’s regulatory process. Now, here are the type of devices for you to be armed with the right information so that you can choose and talk to your doctor about the best kind of medical hip replacement device.

Types of Hip Replacement Devices

Metal with Polyethylene Liner Devices

  • This type of hip replacement device is the unpopular one. This type of hip replacement device has been given a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. However, a lot of negative things is said to happen on this kind of device that physicians will rarely advised for this implant to be used.

Ceramic on Ceramic Devices

  • This is one of the new hip replacement devices to come. Before, metal on metal devices which will be discussed later is seen as the best hip replacement device in the market until metallic ions were seen to be a cause of worry because it has the potential to mix into the blood and cause metallosis. As for this ceramic on ceramic hip replacement device, it is seen as the very best choice especially for the young and the active because there is lesser chance of it fracturing.

Metal on Metal Devices

  • This kind of device has been in the market for around 9 years and has been used by a lot of people. There were even reports that this kind of device is said to last for a lifetime. However, they were unable to foresee that it may also cause complications like causing metallosis. In fact, the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement which is a metal on metal device has been found out to cause metallosis which is why some people have already filed for a lawsuit against its manufacturer.

References:


http://bonesmart.org/hip/total-hip-replacement-implants/
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00355
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/health/04metalhip.html




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When Can I Recover From A Hip Replacement Surgery?

Posted on Monday, September 12, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

The being usual of a hip surgery is quite common these days. This has got to do with the fact that 90% of all hip surgery is said to be successful. Right now, fear is never a common response for a hip replacement surgery. However, they are curious about the length of time recovering from a hip replacement surgery. Yet, there are still hip replacement surgeries that are not doing well. And maybe, it has to do with the fact that "people with arthritis resulting to hip surgery can also experience depression".

Basic Facts and the Necessity of the Occurrence of A Hip Replacement Surgery

  • Despite suffering from hip arthritis pains, hip surgery is not the immediate answer.
  • Before a hip replacement surgery, other treatments are considered first.
  • Hip surgery can only happen if all else fails.
  • Replacing our hip joints with a prosthetic implant is what happens in a hip replacement surgery.

Preparation For A Hip Replacement Surgery

If a hip replacement surgery is said to take place then we can see how serious the hip arthritis is. Here’s what the usual preparation before a doctor will perform the surgical procedure:

  • CBC also known as complete blood count is the process of counting one’s number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • Level of electrolytes evaluation.
  • Blood tests to ensure the functionality of one's liver and kidney.
  • Urinalysis, X-rays, and EKG.
  • Complete physical examination.
  • Evaluation of current medications.

These procedures are important before a hip surgery because this will ensure if the individual is fit enough to undergo a procedure. Moreover, this will also ensure that complications will not happen during the surgery.

How Much Time Do I Need In Order To Recover From A Hip Replacement Surgery?

Recovery is one of the main concerns in every surgery.According to doctors, three months is the maximum time we can give for a person to fully recover after a hip replacement surgery. After three months, the person is sure to be back into his/her full activity.

Full recovery can only be longer than three months if complications happen. In fact, this have happened on people who have used a defective DePuy Pinnacle system. In fact, a "Pinnacle lawsuit" is already being filed by a number of people.

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Revision Surgery in Hip Replacement

Posted on Friday, July 15, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

Revision is defined as modifying something so it’ll be better than its original. In revision surgery, an earlier procedure will be revised because the complications hinder the patient’s normal functioning. In hip replacement surgeries due to hip fractures, a revision surgery is needed when the prosthetic devices have been damaged due to wear and tear and other reasons.

A Brief on Hip Replacement

Hip Replacement is performed to get rid of the damaged hip joints and cartilage and be replaced with prosthetic devices like DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement device. The procedure typically lasts 2 to 4 hours and the prognosis is generally good. Usually, hospital stay will not be more than 5 days and it will take around 3 to 6 months to have full recovery if the patient adheres to the treatment and rehabilitation plan.

When is Revision Surgery Needed?

Surgeons perform hip revision surgery for 2 main reasons: if pain is severe and the disability cannot be managed by other treatment modalities and the extent of damage shown in x-ray tests is serious and operation is needed immediately. Hip Revision usually becomes necessary if the following conditions will arise:
  •     Infection
        Infection in the tissues surrounding the prosthetic device needs immediate medical attention because it can further spread to different sites and may potentially damage the hip bone. We wouldn't want a systemic infection to happen and spread throughout the body.
  •     Fractures
            Hip injury is considered as the top cause of fractures in America. The majority of those who underwent hip replacement belong to the elderly and incidentally, they are also considered to be the most at risk for fractures.
  •     Loosening of the Artificial Hip Joints
            The hip device is initially tight-fitted into the bone so it will stay in place but over time, wear and tear will loosen the device and can begin to move into small amounts. This phenomenon causes pain and patient’s range of motion will be limited. It will take an average of 15-20 years for these devices to last but some like those manufactured by DePuy compelled the patients to file for a DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit because of premature loosening of the devices which happened a couple of years after hip replacement. This is a very serious situation because replacing the device is much more difficult and usually not as successful as the first operation.

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About Hip Replacement Surgery and What to Expect

Posted on Monday, June 27, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

The natural hip joint of a human being is formed by the top of the thigh bone, called the femur, meeting the socket of the pelvic bone, called the acetabulum. The acetabulum and femur are both naturally made to fit into each other.The bones in the hip are protected and cushioned by the cartilage that the hip is equipped with. However, the most common cause for hip replacement surgery, hip arthritis can cause this cartilage to wear down to the point where the bones begin to rub against each other causing the person pain.

The next logical step for someone who has begun to show signs of hip arthritis or any other cause for hip pain would usually be hip replacement surgery.  In the United States alone over 270,000 people elect to undergo hip replacement surgery to relieve pain, return mobility, and remove stiffness from their injured hips.  The hip replacement surgery happens in two parts, first the top of the femur or femoral stem is removed and replaced with an artificial ball, afterwards the acetabulum is replaced with an artificial shell where the ball will be placed.The two artificial components are made to simulate natural movement as closely as possible.

Normally as with any surgery there will be an expected recovery time as the body heals and begins to adapt to the new artificial implants.  There are some bodies however that actually rejects the implant causing the patient even more pain.  Other common severe adverse side effects to the surgery can include: bone dislocation, leg length discrepancy, failure to improve all pain, bone fracture, change in component position, infection, and even loosening and dislodging of the implant.

Once surgery has been completed and the body has finished its healing process, there are other potentially harmful side effects one needs to be careful of. The failure of the hip replacement system is the next thing the patient needs to be careful of. The DePuy Pinnacle, one of the most recent Hip Replacement systems by DePuy Orthopaedics Inc, has had an unusually high failure rate of 15% amongst its recipients.

The failure rate of the Pinnacle has actually caused many of its recipients to file a Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit against Depuy. If you have received a DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement that has begun to fail, you may need to consult with a DePuy Pinnacle lawyer as soon as possible to know what your possible legal options can be.  Free Consultations are given by most lawyers, and many will not even charge you unless your case receives compensation.

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Classifications of Hip Fractures That May Require a DePuy Pinnacle Device

Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 by Depuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit
Among all the injuries in the United States, hip fractures are some of the most common. The elderly are more predisposed to hip fracture injuries, especially if they have co-morbid conditions such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. Although there are some types of hip fractures more likely to undergo total hip replacements over others, the choice of surgical intervention is based on the patient’s age, the location of the fracture, and the surgeon’s assessment. Patients that need total hip replacement surgery should understand the risks associated with the procedure and with the types of devices that are utilized. Recent reports have indicated serious problems with the Pinnacle hip replacement causing DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits.

There are three classifications of hip fractures that are identified according to their locations: femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures. Femoral neck fractures are identified in the region of the femur between the femoral head proximally and the greater and lesser trochanters distally. This category of fracture is considered intracapsular, meaning it occurs within the hip joint and beneath the fibrous joint capsule. Intertrochanteric fractures occur between the greater and lesser trochanter structures in the femur. In contrast to femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures are extracapsular and occur outside the hip joint’s fibrous capsule. Subtrochanteric fractures are located between the lesser trochanter and the femoral isthmus in the proximal part of the femoral shaft. Subtrochanteric fractures are less common, less stable, and more difficult to correct in comparison with femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures.

Although all three types require surgical intervention, all three do not require a total hip replacement. Femoral neck fractures are more likely to be corrected with a total hip replacement. Total hip replacement surgery is only indicated with intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures if severe complications (e.g., nonunion, secondary displacement, avascular necrosis), should cause the initial surgery to fail.

Accounting for 45-53% of all hip fractures, femoral neck fractures are the most common location for a hip fracture. Total hip replacement in these types of fractures is performed on a younger, more active patient or one with preexisting arthritis. DePuy Orthopaedics introduced metal-on-metal hip replacement devices onto the market for younger patients wanting to maintain an active lifestyle after surgery. Over 1,300 complaints have currently been received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the Pinnacle device, with a significant number of these complaints focused on the device loosening from the bone, causing device failure and numerous DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits.

DePuy has budgeted almost $1 billion in the past for patients being harmed by their defective devices. If you are suffering from pain caused by DePuy’s Pinnacle device, fight for the compensation you deserve and go to the DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit website to have your case evaluated for free.

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