Thousands of Americans undergo hip replacement surgery each year. While many hip replacement surgeries involve the use of ceramic or plastic replacement parts, metal on metal hip devices continue to remain the popular choice for many individuals. When a metal hip replacement part fails, it can result in serious medical complications, including death. Reports indicate that 1 in 12 metal hip implant patients may require corrective surgery within five years of the hip implant surgery.
Signs of a Problematic Metal Hip Implant
When a metal hip replacement part prematurely fails, painful side effects can occur. Some of the most common signs that there may be a problem with a metal hip implant include:
- Severe pain while walking, standing or carrying heavy objects
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Infections
- Tissue inflammation
- Swelling in hip, thigh or groin areas
- High levels of chromium and cobalt in the blood
- Dislocation of the Implant
- Loosening of the Implant
- Fractured bones
- Bone loss
- Clicking, popping or grinding in the hip implant region
- Changes in Leg Length
- Rash (which could be a sign of metallosis or necrosis)
- Fluid tumors (also called pseudotumors)
- Joint Instability
If a metal on metal hip implant patient experiences any of these warning signs, it may indicate that the hip implant was defective, or has malfunctioned in some way. As a result, the patient may require corrective surgery that can be both expensive and costly. Individuals living with the aftermath of a defective hip replacement surgery often face many medical expenses, including costs associated with revision surgery, medical monitoring, blood testing, physical therapy, nursing home care, and long term follow up care.
Metal on Metal Hip Implant Cases
Patients experiencing complications from a defective metal hip implant may be entitled to compensation, if they can prove that their injuries resulted from the defective design or construction, inadequate warning, or unreasonable character of the metal hip implant device. Manufacturers of the implants also have been found negligent in cases where the metal hip implant defects were concealed, or the implants were not adequately tested before being placed on the market.
Some of the most common metal on metal hip replacement implant lawsuits involve the following devices: Biomet M2-aMagnum, DePuy Orthopaedics ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement System, DePuy Orthopaedics Pinnacle hip implants, Stryker Rejuvenate, Stryker ABG KK Modular-Neck Hip Stems, Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head, Smith & Nephew Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System (BHR), Wright Medical Technology Hip Replacements, and the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Replacement Device.
Several multidistrict litigation cases have been filed with respect to defective hip implant systems. Many defective hip implant cases have been settled for significant amounts, including a $2.5 billion settlement in 2013 involving Johnson & Johnson’s ASR metal device. Over 8,000 cases have been filed in the United States alleging that Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopaedics Pinnacle hip implant is defective. Plaintiffs have alleged that these hip implants deteriorate faster and more often than other types of implants, exposing patients to high levels of dangerous metals, including cobalt and chromium.
South Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. Assist Those Harmed by a Defective Medical Device
If you or a loved one has received a defective metal hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced South Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. represent victims of medical malpractice including recipients of defective medical devices including metal hip implants. Our offices are conveniently located in Cherry Hill as well as Philadelphia and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania to assist injured individuals and their families throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas. To schedule your free initial consultation call 856-354-9444 today or submit an online inquiry form.
