British patients taking legal action against defective metal on metal hip implants made by Johnson & Johnson have been praised by women injured by a medical device made by the same health care giant.

Cambs Times: Kath Sansom pictured on Sky News.Kath Sansom pictured on Sky News. (Image: Archant)

The majority of women in the UK suffering complications from mesh bladder slings to treat incontinence and prolapse were fitted with a Gynaecare device made by Johnson & Johnson.

They too would like to see a group action like that for 700 hip patients who are taking their case to the High Court.

Sling The Mesh campaigner Kath Sansom said: “This is excellent news that those suffering from the hip scandal have a chance to be heard in court.

“I believe mesh is a bigger scandal than the metal on metal implants as many women have suffered in silence for years too embarrassed to talk bout what they have gone through as it is such a personal issue.

Cambs Times: Rt Hon Lord Andrew Robathan received a metal on metal hip implant made by De Puy, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, in 2006.Rt Hon Lord Andrew Robathan received a metal on metal hip implant made by De Puy, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, in 2006. (Image: Archant)

“Not only is the suffering embarrassing to talk about but the reason they were given a mesh operation in the first place is embarrassing - who wants to publically talk about incontinence? It is hardly dinner party conversation.”

Lord Andrew Robathan, a former soldier, is among more than 40,000 people fitted with “metal-on-metal” hip implants, which were subject to a major health warning, after tests showed they could wear down and poison the bloodstream.

The armed forces minister had a hip implant by DePuy, a subsidiary company of Johnson & Johnson.

Within five years, a non-cancerous tumour developed at the top of his leg, and he was told by his GP that it was linked to the implants.

Complications suffered by some women include nerve damage, leg pain, burning pains, loss of sex life, recurrent water infections, the mesh tape cutting into delicate tissue and nearby organs, allergic reactions, fibromyalgia.

Lawyers Leigh Day solicitors said the hip implant group action includes around 85 people with Durom implants by Zimmer; 400 with Pinnacle parts by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy; and 200 with Cormet parts, made by Corin.

A civil trial is expected in autumn next year.

Papers lodged by Corin’s solicitors at the court state: ‘Corin’s defence is that its products were safe.’ Zimmer said the claims were ‘vague’.

DePuy’s defence says that the ‘vast majority’ of patients with Pinnacle implants ‘have improved function without complication’.