By Alexandra O’Hara
Safety concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements are rising in Britain, as one Auckland lawyer says New Zealand authorities need to launch their own investigation into the implants.
James Elliott, who had one of the implants at 43, says they're more harmful than many think, and if action is not taken there could be serious consequences.
He says there were “relatively two choices” when he had the operation in 2008 – a ceramic working surface, or metal-on-metal.
“I was advised at the time due to my relative youthfulness for this operation that metal on metal would give me the longest lasting result,” he says.
However, the implant was removed 18 months later, shortly before being recalled when medical regulators became worried about the number of people – like Mr Elliott – who were forced to have operations redone.
Now an investigation by a British newspaper claims the devices could be more dangerous than first thought, especially concerning the long-term effect of having metal in the body.
Over 500 New Zealanders have the replacements, and since the 2010 recall these have been monitored closely by the Orthopaedic Association.
Mr Elliott says this isn’t enough, and an investigation needs to be launched into how the implants made it into the country in the first place.
He says “an inquiry by Parliament, preferably the Health select committee” would be the most appropriate course of action.
The Ministry of Health says they are following the situation closely and anyone with concerns should contact their doctor.
3 News