Bramhall mum sues over hip replacement that left her in ‘living hell’ | Manchester Evening News – menmedia.co.uk.

A mum-of-two has told of her hell after she had to have her hip removed following a controversial metal-on-metal joint replacement.

Sally Gration, 57, was left housebound for months and has been unable to work for more than a year following her ordeal.

She is one of more than 100 patients who are being represented by a Manchester law firm and are taking legal action against the manufacturer of the metal hip implant device.

The married nursery teacher from Bramhall, Stockport, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia – meaning her hip joint is out of shape – and doctors said her best option was to undergo a hip replacement.

She had surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport in February 2006 and initially it appeared to have gone well. But she started to suffer from excruciating pains in 2010 – and was called back to the hospital last January after the device was recalled by the manufacturer amid safety concerns and high failure rates.

Just days later and before surgeons had chance to fully investigate, she suffered a sudden hip dislocation. Paramedics spent two hours trying to move her because she was in so much discomfort and surgeons managed to put the hip back in place.She had a second dislocation where she was left writhing in agony in her kitchen.

Last May, surgeons had to take the radical step of removing her hip completely – and she was confined to her house, unable to walk, until she had a ceramic hip fitted in November.

Sally, who has two teenage sons, still struggles to walk long distances and cannot work because she is not well enough.

She said: ” I started to suffer pains while bending and I knew I was in trouble. When I had my hip removed I thought I was facing life in a wheelchair. Fortunately I found a good surgeon who was prepared to do the reconstructive surgery. My recovery has been slow and frustrating and I’m still not right. My mobility is restricted but hopefully it will improve.”

Sally is being represented by Manchester’s Irwin Mitchell, which is taking legal action against the device’s manufacturer De Puy International Limited. More than 10,000 patients in Britain are thought to have been fitted with the replacement since 2002.

Components used within the artificial joint were causing build up of fluid and blood poisoning, according to product liability solicitor Gary Walker. He said: “Through no fault of their own many people are now having to go through further surgery to correct problems that should not have been allowed to happen.”

A spokesman for Stepping Hill confirmed the device was no longer used at the hospital.

A spokesman for DePuy said: “DePuy understands that the ASR Hip System recall is concerning for patients, their family members and surgeons. Since the voluntary recall decision was made, DePuy has worked to provide patients and surgeons with the information and support they need.

“DePuy does not want cost to be a barrier to treatment and the company is committed to addressing reasonable and customary costs of testing and treatment for reasons related to the recall.”

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