A PATIENT who says he has been in pain ever since he underwent hip replacement surgery is calling for more information about a new health scare.

Alan Wrench went under the knife in May 2008 to have a replacement hip inserted.

Mr Wrench, from Northwood, says he has suffered with pains ever since, has to walk with a stick and can no longer enjoy activities such as football and swimming.

The type of implant the 57-year-old was given is now subject to a health alert over concerns they are poisoning patients' bodies.

DePuy ASR implants have been recalled because small particles from the metal used in the replacement joint are believed to be damaging flesh and causing immense pain.

Reports suggest other symptoms could include breathing problems, sight and hearing loss; and even cancer.

Mr Wrench, who had his operation at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS), has been called back for tests and scans and was told he will be contacted if they show any problems.

But he said recent news reports have done nothing to ease his worries.

The Prime Street resident said: "I have hardly been able to do anything since the operation.

"I can't vacuum up without having to have a sit down and I have to be careful how I put my trousers on.

"There is just no strength in my leg any more. It has really knocked my confidence.

"I didn't know anything about the scare until I saw a television programme and then the newspapers.

"I had to do all the chasing to get checked out and was told I would be written to if there was something wrong.

"There must be more patients in Stoke-on-Trent and I want them to be aware of the problems."

Mr Wrench was offered the operation after x-rays showed he had no cartilage on his hip joint and there was bone rubbing against bone.

Doctors told him he would eventually need a hip replacement, but, at 52, he was considered young for such a procedure.

After his problems worsened, he was offered the metal hip replacement because it was stronger and better for younger people.

Mr Wrench has now been told another hip replacement could be more traumatic than the first.

His wife Susie, aged 55, said: "Alan was optimistic the operation would change his life, but now he has to live with the pain and the fact he can't do things he used to enjoy.

"He always used to be the most confident of the two of us, but all that has changed."

A UHNS spokesman said: "DePuy, manufacturer of the ASR hip system, has issued a voluntary recall notice on its system used since July 2003.

"A small proportion of patients undergoing hip surgery at University Hospital have been fitted with the system during this time.

"Patients affected are being contacted by hospital staff to arrange for a review with their consultant and tests that will show whether or not there is a potential problem.

"The programme is on-going but to date no potential problems have been identified."