53 patients affected by faulty hip implant recall

A TOTAL of 44 patients have been operated on and another nine are scheduled for surgery to replace a faulty hip implant recalled by the manufacturer last year.

In addition, a number of patients have been referred for repeat blood tests or MRI scans and depending on the outcome, the figure for the numbers requiring new hip replacements may increase, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Approximately 3,500 people in Ireland were fitted with the faulty metal ball and socket device, recalled by DePuy Orthopaedics last August, after it was found to fail early in some patients.