Metal On Metal Hip Implant Failures Attorneys
You may be entitled to compensation if you had a metal to metal hip replacement procedure
Arthroplasty, commonly known as hip replacement, is a surgical procedure in which all or part of the hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, bone tumors, and hip fractures are listed as the most common causes of hip joint damage leading to hip replacement surgery. The goal of hip replacement surgery is to improve function in the hip joint, increase mobility, and alleviate pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), more than 300,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States each year.
Hip replacement devices come in a variety of designs and models and are made from a combination of materials, including plastics, ceramics and metals, all of which consist of three basic components:
- a stem that is inserted into the femur (thighbone)
- a ball that attaches to the top of the femur (femoral head)
- a cup that attaches to the pelvis.
In metal-on-metal hip implants, all three of these parts are made of metal.
Risks Associated with the procedure
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), metal-on-metal hip implants have unique risks not associated with other types of hip implants. As an example, in metal-on-metal hip implants, friction between the ball and cup can release tiny metal particles into the space around the implant and can even cause cobalt and chromium ions to enter the bloodstream. Over time, the metal particles released into the bone and tissue surrounding the metal-on-metal hip implant can cause an Adverse Local Tissue Reaction also known as “ALTR”. The symptoms of ALTR may include pain, implant loosening, implant failure, and the need for costly and painful revision surgery.
These implant devices may also corrode and fail to fully lock at the stem-head taper junction, a problem referred to as “taper lock failure,” which can cause loss of mobility, pain and inflammation, joint instability and dislocation, bone fractures, leg length discrepancy, and the need for revision surgery.
Some studies have shown that patients who receive metal-on-metal hip implants may even experience a systemic reaction leading to symptoms elsewhere in the body. Symptoms of a systemic reaction to a metal-on-metal hip implant may include thyroid dysfunction, neurological and sensory changes, renal function impairment, and cardiomyopathy.
Hip Replacement Lawsuits
Several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip implant by patients who were injured after receiving a metal-on-metal hip implant. These lawsuits allege that the metal-on-metal hip devices at issue were dangerously and defectively designed and that the manufacturers failed to adequately test the devices before putting them on the market. The lawsuits also claim that the manufacturers failed to issue updated warnings once they became aware of the problems.
If you or a loved one has received a metal-on-metal hip implant and experienced any adverse side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Give us a call now and find out what your options are!
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