DePuy’s lawyers have said in court that the company had “always warned about the potential for a tissue reaction in a metal-on-metal device”. A spokesman said patient safety was its “first priority” and it “acted appropriately and responsibly in the design and testing” of the Pinnacle. The implant was cleared for sale by national regulators and “is backed by a strong track record of clinical data showing reduced pain and restored mobility for patients suffering from chronic hip pain”. The spokesman added that the plastic and ceramic alternatives also “wear and produce debris”, and “the body reacts to any foreign material”. Boz Michalowska Howells, representing more than 300 UK claims, said it “appeared to be commonly known in the 90s that metal-on-metal hips cause could adverse reactions and it should have rung alarm bells”.
UK patients received metal-on-metal hip implants, despite the fact that the company that produces them received safety warnings concerning the devices, according to documents seen by the Daily Telegraph. The documents, which were obtained under freedom of information laws, show how a British firm was warned about potential risks associated with using its implants in patients. They were first used in patients in the UK in 2002. Over 20,000 patients ultimately received the implants, which some analysts believe can release toxic ions into the bloodstream. Patients in Texas are currently suing DePuy.