A HOSPITAL trust is contacting 450 patients who have had metal-on-metal hip replacements, in one of the biggest recalls of its kind in the region.

The move by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust follows last year’s recall by the trust of 378 patients who had metal-on-metal resurfacing joints.

There are growing national concerns over metal-on-metal hip joints.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency last year issued advice to orthopaedic surgeons across the UK to follow up patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements.

In March, the British Orthopaedic Society reported a higher-than-anticipated failure rate among metal-onmetal hip joints.

Sixty-three patients from last year’s batch needed to have further surgery because of problems with their original implant.

The letters will invite patients for an appointment over the coming months.

The trust is following national guidance that patients should be reviewed so any early signs that their hip joint is failing can be identified.

A spokesman said there can be problems for a small number of patients where the tissue around the hip joint is affected.

The 450 patients had their total hip replacement at either the University Hospital of Hartlepool or the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, between 2003 and 2009.

They will have a blood test and an assessment of movement and pain in the joint.

Once the results of the tests are known, discussions will take place to plan further action.

Surgeons at the trust were among the first in the world to discover problems with abnormal wear and tear on metal-on-metal hip joints.

David Emerton, medical director for the trust, said: “We appreciate this is worrying for people, but I’d like to assure patients they are in good hands. Our orthopaedic team are world leaders in this so they can be assured they will get a very thorough review, and appropriate action if it’s needed.”

A helpline has been set up for the patients affected. It is open from 8am to 6pm on 01642-624231.

Richard Starkie, of York law firm Pryers, said his firm was acting for 110 people seeking compensation for the failure of metal-on-metal hip joints.