MHRA issues statement on metal-on-metal hip implants
Published date : 30 January 2012
Article date : 30 January 2012
The MHRA have issued a statement on DePuy's metal-on-metal hip implants, while the Telegraph newspaper reports concerns that the devices could be more dangerous than previously thought.
On Monday 30th January 2012, an MHRA spokesman said, "On the evidence currently available the majority of patients implanted with metal-on-metal hip replacements are at low risk of developing any serious problems. We are continuing to closely monitor all evidence. This needs more analysis before any conclusions can be drawn and further advice given.
"We have already taken prompt action to investigate safety concerns and have provided advice on patient management to relevant healthcare professionals. If patients have any questions they should speak to their orthopaedic surgeon."
This statement comes two days after the Telegraph reported on their own investgation into these devices, which found that they were more dangerous than previously thought. The article, published on Saturday 28th January 2012, stated that there were concerns that "the fragments could put the nervous system, heart and lungs at risk of being slowly poisoned". The article also claims that advisers to the MHRA have decided that further advice should be issued due to concerns that the devices could cause “systemic toxicity” in the body.
Read the full statement from the MHRA here.
Read the article in the Telegraph here.
Read our roundup of metal-on-metal hip resurfacings here.
