Industry-Wide Hip Failures Lead to Product Recalls
Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients undergo hip replacement surgery to improve their quality of life; however, we now know that several of the leading hip implant devices have been recalled due to product defects and the adverse side-effects that they can cause. Several of these devices erode the replacement joint while also releasing metallic ions into the patient’s bloodstream, resulting in a metal poisoning called Metallosis. Some common problems that are associated with recalled hip implants include a loosening of the implant device, joint dislocation, “squeaky” hip or severe pain.
Graves McLain represents patients throughout the United States who have required revision surgery as a result of a faulty hip implant device as well as patients of have suffered additional adverse reactions from these defective medical devices. Unfortunately, hip implant revision surgery can be a lengthy and painful process for many people that limits their ability to maintain steady income or maintain their existing quality of life. Many times, a patient’s only option to correct the problem is to replace the recalled implant with a different type, resulting in months of pain, suffering and extensive rehabilitation.
Areas of Practice
Several hip implant manufacturers have been the subject of extensive recalls and class action lawsuits due to the adverse reaction patients that received them have had. Graves McLain has qualified lawyers ready to review your hip implant recall case, compile evidence that side effects were experienced and prove the extent of the injuries or suffering that occurred as a result. Our knowledgeable attorneys know how devastating these faulty medical devices can be to both patients and their families.
DePuy™ Orthopedic Pinnacle™ Hip Replacement System allows surgeons to choose between a metal liner, ceramic liner, or polyethylene liner. The allegations made in DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuits involve Pinnacle devices that utilize the metal liner. It was thought that all-metal hip implants would be more durable and longer-lasting than other implants made from alternative components. However, many people claim their metal-on-metal device failed within just a few years.
In September 2007, Smith & Nephew, PLC, along with Biomet Inc., DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., and Zimmer Holdings, Inc. entered into settlement agreements, under which they agreed to pay up to $300 million in total to adopt industry overhauls and undertake corporate monitoring to avoid criminal charges of conspiracy. In February 2012, Smith & Nephew, PLC agreed to pay $22.2 million to settle US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) offenses committed by its U.S. and German subsidiaries.
For thousands of patients throughout the United States, Stryker Corporation’s Rejuvenate and ABG II metal hip implants are failing and causing serious, and even life-threatening injuries. Patients that received either a Rejuvenate or ABG II metal hip implant have experienced extreme pain, severe side effects, and often require second revision surgery to remove the defective device. Revision surgery is a painful, expensive, and dangerous process.
Wright has experienced success with its ceramic-on-ceramic products, though the same cannot be said for its metal-on-metal product designs. On September 20, 2004, Wright Medical Group, Inc.™ voluntarily recalled its CONSERVE® hip system, as it proved to be prone to shedding metal particles into surrounding tissue and blood, leading to high levels of metal toxicity. This may lead to metal poisoning, tissue necrosis, loosening of the device and other serious problems.
The Zimmer Durom Cup is not cemented or screwed in place during implantation. Instead, it was designed to bond to the patient’s hipbone. Unfortunately, many patients are finding that their Zimmer Durom Cup implant resists bone growth. Instead of adhering to the bone, the Durom Cup comes loose and/or pops free from the hip. This unintended result can cause moderate discomfort to extreme and devastating pain.