PEOPLE who have had hip replacement surgery carried out in the Isle of Man are not affected by a current health scare in the UK.

According to a report conducted by The Sunday Telegraph more than 30,000 British patients who have had metal on metal hip replacements could be at risk.

The report found that problems could occur with the replacement hip when friction between the metal ball and cup causes miniscule metal filings to break off. These can then filter into the blood and cause inflammation which can destroy muscle and bone.

However the Department of Health in the Isle of Man has said Noble's Hospital has not and does not use the metal on metal hip joint.

Therefore anyone who has had a hip replacement operation in the Isle of Man is not affected by this problem and has "no cause for concern".

The department has advised people living in the Isle of Man with hip replacements, which have not been fitted in the Island, to have them checked if they are concerned.

It said some types of metal on metal replacements can cause problems - particularly the DePuy ASR types – but says most patients who have had these fitted will already have been contacted by either the company or by their surgeon.

Anyone in the Isle of Man who has had a DePuy ASR or ASR XL hip replacement fitted elsewhere and has not yet heard from their consultant or hospital should contact them regardless of whether they are in pain or not.

For those with other types of metal on metal implants the Department of Health says the current advice is that they should be checked once a year by their surgeon.

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