Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States have what are known as “metal-on-metal” hip implants. These all-metal implants were thought to be stronger and provide better range of motion than their ceramic and plastic counterparts. Although all-metal hip implants may be more durable, they are definitely not safer.
The Worst Offenders
All hip implants come with a risk of complications, but the all-metal hip implants with the worst failure rates are the following:
- Depuy ASR
- Depuy Pinnacle
- Stryker Accolade
- Stryker ABGII
- Stryker LFIT Anatomic Heads
- Stryker Rejuvenate
The above hip implants are linked to unreasonably-high incidences of infection, nerve damage, dislocation, fracture, blood clots, and a serious condition called Metallosis. A Boston defective medical products attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured by an all-metal hip implant.
Symptoms of Complications with a Hip Implant
The above medical complications can be quite serious if left untreated. So, how do you know if your hip implant is failing? Common symptoms of implant failure include:
- Severe and chronic pain in the hip, groin, or leg
- Mobility problems
- Swelling around the hip joint
- Clicking and grinding noises while walking
What Causes All-Metal Implants to Fail?
The hip implants listed above are made of chromium and cobalt, two different types of metal that create friction when rubbed together. Unfortunately, this friction may result in the release of metal debris into the blood stream and surrounding tissue. The release of too much metal debris can become toxic. When metal builds up in the blood and soft tissues, it can lead to a painful inflammatory condition called Metallosis. Left untreated, Metallosis can be fatal. A MA defective medical device lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured by an all-metal hip implant.
Thousands of patients have suffered serious medical conditions and debilitating pain after receiving an all-metal hip implant. In addition to the medical complications listed above, all-metal hip implants are linked to the formation of pseudo tumors (non-cancerous cell masses filled with fluid), kidney and thyroid problems, bone deterioration, and cancer. And most of these patients required costly, painful revision surgeries to remove and / or replace the failed implant. Hip implants are supposed to improve mobility, reduce pain, and make life easier. Unfortunately, for thousands of patients, the opposite has been true.
FDA Warning
In 2011, the FDA released a report warning that all-metal hip implants present a “unique risk.” The agency then required all manufacturers to conduct studies of the implants to determine the frequency of failure. In response, several manufacturers pulled their products, and many devices were recalled. A particular DePuy model was found by the British Orthopaedic Association to have a 50 percent failure rate within six years. Despite the 2011 warning, the pulling of several high-failure rate models, and multiple recalls, tens of thousands of patients are walking around today with dangerous, all-metal hip implants. If you are one of them, it may be in your best interest to talk to your physician about the risks.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Defective Medical Product Attorneys Serving All of MA
If you have been injured by an all-metal hip implant, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. Our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. We will thoroughly review the details of your case to determine the best legal strategy, and we’ll ensure that you fully understand your rights and options before moving forward. If you’ve been injured, we can help. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.