Calendar of events on my DePuy Pinnacle MOM (metal on metal) ACE tabular Cup full hip replacement:

Upfront, here are serial numbers of the cup and bone screws of my
DePuy Pinnacle (metal on metal) ACE Tabular Cup full hip replacement:

1. DePuy Pinnacle ACE Tabular Cup
REF 1217-22-056 LOT C31EF1000
SZ MM 56

2. DePuy Pinnacle Cancellous Bone Screw (2 screws same serial numbers)
REF 1217-30-500 LOT AF 2E6400
DIA MM 6.5
MM LGT 30

1. My right hip was replaced using one of the DePuy devices 2 days before Christmas 2008.

2. For the first 3 months after surgery I was unable to lie down straight in bed, only changing certain positions hourly sitting in a recliner allowed me to bear severe and violent pain. Actually, to the day (almost 2 years after surgery), I am not able to sit, stand, or lie down for more than a couple of hours, rather less. Even when I don’t move at all, severe and violent pain kicks in. During that time I also was ordered physical therapy. At the time, my Physical Therapist also wondered why I still was in so much pain.

3. Once I was ordered to walk on full weight, I was never able to walk more than half a mile without severe pain kicking in. Actually, to the day my hip replaced leg starts hurting badly when I walk only very short distances, much shorter than half a mile and often when I don’t walk also. My surgeon always suggested to be patient as recovery from a severe operation like that could take up to a year, or more.

4. The last time I saw my surgeon was in January of 2010. Again, I told him how severe my pains still were. Dr. Cuff discussed a bone marrow transplant with me. A procedure that could help to fasten the stem part of my implanted hip. But Dr. Cuff recommended to stay away from that procedure as he knew of only a couple of cases and they weren't successful. On top of it I could be on crutches for another 10 to 12 months.

5. During this past spring/summer I tried to see my surgeon again. Mainly because I was suffering more and more. Unfortunately, due to my long tern ‘Leave of Absence’ I had lost my job and all my benefits including health insurance. My surgeon’s front office told me over the phone that I would have to pay a fee of $160 just to see the doctor as an uninsured person. I simply could not afford that at the time.

6. After I learned that I have a ACE tabucular cup hip replacement made by Depuy Orthopedics, I went to the Venice Regional hospital in order to request my Medical Records and Implant Report. It was a kind of odd that the clerks at the hospital said that they can provide my Medical Records, but that it seemed strange that they were unable to find the serial number of my DePuy hip replacement. They told me that they would send me a copy when they would find it. After appr. 2 weeks I received a copy of the implanted system, and it states ‘DePuy Pinnacle ACE tabular’. While this device is not under the official recall, it is also a metal on metal, and many articles/blog posts by doctors, lawyers and patients talk about the same symptoms I suffer from. Supposedely, the FDA has more than 300 patient complaints on that device.

7. My medical condition, personal situation and circumstances get worst and worst.
Furthermore, and after my employer Comcast Cable had terminated me because of extended ‘Leave of Absence due to illness’, I applied for unemployment benefits. Unemployment was denied because the agency was not able to help me because of my illnesses. Since surgery and after I started to sit for extended time, not only severe pain bothered me, also a condition called Edema (excessive swelling of my right food). Both my doctors back then (until January of 2009), Dr. Cuff and Dr. Schulte knew about that additional condition.

Meanwhile I have developed more severe pain in the hip area of my operated hip, also of my left hip, back, and all the way up the neck. My severe and violent pain is causing me a lot of discomfort, my overall medical condition seems to get worst and worst, ie.

-I cannot get in and outside of a vehicle without terrible pain in my right leg and right hip.

-I cannot get up from sitting or laying down positions without terrible pain in my left and right leg and left and right hip.

-I can only walk very short distances without severe pain starting inside my right leg and right hip.

-I move and walk very slowly, because I am afraid to fall with every single step I do.

-I have to sit down in order to get dressed.

-When I turn my neck to the left or to the right a little faster than very slow, I see 'stars'. Also, when I move my neck, another violent pain stretches out all the way down to my lower back.

-Both my hands and arms developed a tingling sensation that stretches all the way from the tip of my pinky fingers to the ellbows.

-Each time I have to cough or sneeze, I experience a violent pain sensation inside right thigh and hip areas.

-I have Diarrhea almost all the time, no matter what I drink or eat. Many times there is also blood in my stool.

8. At the end of August 2010 I applied for Social Security Disability benefits. My initial claim was denied 11/23/2010. I am in the procedure to appeal that decision and report to the SSA that I am suffering from the DePuy hip replacement.

9. I am also in the procedure to seek legal help on the matter of my failing DePuy hip replacement.

10. At the present time, I believe that I am in urgent need of medical care. Having lost medical insurance due to the loss of my job, and being denied help from the local Senior Citizen Help Center, I am trying to gain eligibility for the County's Health Department.

11. While I have no complaints about Dr. Cuff's care and the care I received at the Venice Regional Hospital, I have a problem to see Dr. Cuff again. Reason why:

a) I cannot afford their fees as an uninsured person.

b) When you look up DePuy Orthopedics official website, and search for associated doctors in Venice/Florida, Dr. Noah pops up first. Dr. Noah and Dr. Cuff both work for Suncoast Orthopedics Medical Center, 836 Sunset Lake Blvd., Venice, Florida 34292.

12. Today, 12/14/2010, I filed a complaint with the FDA online.

Regards,

Juergen S
Florida

Juergen S
Calendar of events on my DePuy Pinnacle MOM (metal on metal) ACE tabular Cup full hip replacement:
Upfront, here are serial numbers of the cup and bone screws of my
DePuy Pinnacle (metal on metal) ACE Tabular Cup full hip replacement:
1. DePuy Pinnacle ACE Tabular Cup
REF 1217-22-056 LOT C31EF1000
SZ MM 56
2. DePuy Pinnacle Cancellous Bone Screw (2 screws same serial numbers)
REF 1217-30-500 LOT AF 2E6400
DIA MM 6.5
MM LGT 30
1. My right hip was replaced using one of the DePuy devices 2 days before Christmas 2008.
2. For the first 3 months after surgery I was unable to lie down straight in bed, only changing certain positions hourly sitting in a recliner allowed me to bear severe and violent pain. Actually, to the day (almost 2 years after surgery), I am not able to sit, stand, or lie down for more than a couple of hours, rather less. Even when I don’t move at all, severe and violent pain kicks in. During that time I also was ordered physical therapy. At the time, my Physical Therapist also wondered why I still was in so much pain.
3. Once I was ordered to walk on full weight, I was never able to walk more than half a mile without severe pain kicking in. Actually, to the day my hip replaced leg starts hurting badly when I walk only very short distances, much shorter than half a mile and often when I don’t walk also. My surgeon always suggested to be patient as recovery from a severe operation like that could take up to a year, or more.
4. The last time I saw my surgeon was in January of 2010. Again, I told him how severe my pains still were. Dr. Cuff discussed a bone marrow transplant with me. A procedure that could help to fasten the stem part of my implanted hip. But Dr. Cuff recommended to stay away from that procedure as he knew of only a couple of cases and they weren’t successful. On top of it I could be on crutches for another 10 to 12 months.
5. During this past spring/summer I tried to see my surgeon again. Mainly because I was suffering more and more. Unfortunately, due to my long tern ‘Leave of Absence’ I had lost my job and all my benefits including health insurance. My surgeon’s front office told me over the phone that I would have to pay a fee of $160 just to see the doctor as an uninsured person. I simply could not afford that at the time.
6. After I learned that I have a ACE tabucular cup hip replacement made by Depuy Orthopedics, I went to the Venice Regional hospital in order to request my Medical Records and Implant Report. It was a kind of odd that the clerks at the hospital said that they can provide my Medical Records, but that it seemed strange that they were unable to find the serial number of my DePuy hip replacement. They told me that they would send me a copy when they would find it. After appr. 2 weeks I received a copy of the implanted system, and it states ‘DePuy Pinnacle ACE tabular’. While this device is not under the official recall, it is also a metal on metal, and many articles/blog posts by doctors, lawyers and patients talk about the same symptoms I suffer from. Supposedely, the FDA has more than 300 patient complaints on that device.
7. My medical condition, personal situation and circumstances get worst and worst.
Furthermore, and after my employer Comcast Cable had terminated me because of extended ‘Leave of Absence due to illness’, I applied for unemployment benefits. Unemployment was denied because the agency was not able to help me because of my illnesses. Since surgery and after I started to sit for extended time, not only severe pain bothered me, also a condition called Edema (excessive swelling of my right food). Both my doctors back then (until January of 2009), Dr. Cuff and Dr. Schulte knew about that additional condition.
Meanwhile I have developed more severe pain in the hip area of my operated hip, also of my left hip, back, and all the way up the neck. My severe and violent pain is causing me a lot of discomfort, my overall medical condition seems to get worst and worst, ie.
-I cannot get in and outside of a vehicle without terrible pain in my right leg and right hip.
-I cannot get up from sitting or laying down positions without terrible pain in my left and right leg and left and right hip.
-I can only walk very short distances without severe pain starting inside my right leg and right hip.
-I move and walk very slowly, because I am afraid to fall with every single step I do.
-I have to sit down in order to get dressed.
-When I turn my neck to the left or to the right a little faster than very slow, I see ‘stars’. Also, when I move my neck, another violent pain stretches out all the way down to my lower back.
-Both my hands and arms developed a tingling sensation that stretches all the way from the tip of my pinky fingers to the ellbows.
-Each time I have to cough or sneeze, I experience a violent pain sensation inside right thigh and hip areas.
-I have Diarrhea almost all the time, no matter what I drink or eat. Many times there is also blood in my stool.
8. At the end of August 2010 I applied for Social Security Disability benefits. My initial claim was denied 11/23/2010. I am in the procedure to appeal that decision and report to the SSA that I am suffering from the DePuy hip replacement.
9. I am also in the procedure to seek legal help on the matter of my failing DePuy hip replacement.
10. At the present time, I believe that I am in urgent need of medical care. Having lost medical insurance due to the loss of my job, and being denied help from the local Senior Citizen Help Center, I am trying to gain eligibility for the County’s Health Department.
11. While I have no complaints about Dr. Cuff’s care and the care I received at the Venice Regional Hospital, I have a problem to see Dr. Cuff again. Reason why:
a) I cannot afford their fees as an uninsured person.
b) When you look up DePuy Orthopedics official website, and search for associated doctors in Venice/Florida, Dr. Noah pops up first. Dr. Noah and Dr. Cuff both work for Suncoast Orthopedics Medical Center, 836 Sunset Lake Blvd., Venice, Florida 34292.
12. Today, 12/14/2010, I filed a complaint with the FDA online.
Regards,
Juergen S
Florida

Wow, sorry to read of your ongoing problems Juergen. I thought I suffered pretty much alone. I was living and operated on in UK and have never been able to come off PK’s. Ops x 2 2007 and shoulders x 2 2008. I moved to Bulgaria as I could no longer afford to live in UK without working. I checked and the UK Gov said welfare was payable in an EU country. Well they changed the goalposts and we survive frugally on my wifes private pension of £250 a month. No welfare from GB pensions anymore.
Despite raised ion levels I was getting nowhere with DP’s Brit agents Broadspire, supposedly neutral, they raised obstacle after obstacle then threatened to withdraw assistance (what assistance) when I was sarcastic.
I was insistent that I could not find a state surgeon in BG experienced on DP protocols and revisions, BS kept disbelieving me. All I wanted was to get these toxic implants removed and hopefully get rid of all my pain and unspecified illnesses (I am 60). I kept on at them and they got so pissed they transferred me to a sister company in Romania. I kept saying I could not pay up front. Lavinia from Romania, bless, has been great. Arranged my travel from BG to RO, hotel, private tests and consultation. She then got DP to agree to a private hospital in Bulgaria with a private surgeon who is aware of the protocols. I am supposed to have first revision Jan15 but DP and the Tokuda hospital have not quite agreed on the nuts & bolts as yet. It may or may not happen.
I contacted the state hospital and private hospital where the Brit consultant who did my original ops. Asking under the Freedom of Information act I wanted to know what incentives my surgeon had received to recommend DP ASR metal on metal to me. I was a Personal Trainer/Massage Therapist/Sports Coach. I was told I would be back at work six months after the second op. That did not happen, will not happen and I had to take early retirement on disability grounds with all the financial hardships. Without my ladies pension we would be on the streets. Both hospitals have advised that they cannot provide the info I requested as the F of Info Act does not cover it. Don’t they look after their own? Like you I have no quarrel with the surgeon, I guess he did his best. But 2007 was two years after DePuy had discovered this potential defect. I feel as if I have been and still am the victim of a huge, worldwide social experiment. I am thinking of changing my name to Mr De Puy’s Gin E Pig!