Defective Hip Implants
Total hip replacement surgeries are among the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. More than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed each year. By 2015, there were already about 7 million Americans living with knee or hip replacements, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement, also known as a total hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where the patient’s hip joint is resurfaced and replaced with artificial implant component parts that are designed to replicate the ball and socket structure of the hip joint.
Total hip replacement is most commonly used to treat joint failure caused by osteoarthritis. Other indications include rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, arthritis associated with Paget’s disease of the bone, ankylosing spondylitis.
The aims of the procedure are to provide pain relief and improvement in hip function. Hip replacement surgery is usually considered only once other therapies, such as pain medications and physical therapy, have failed.
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Type Of Hip Impants
Over the years, several different designs and materials have been developed and used in manufacturing artificial hips. Most hip implant component parts are made from metal, such as cobalt, chromium, or titanium alloys. Ceramic and plastic components are also common.
METAL-ON-METAL:
Consist of an acetabular shell, femoral head, femoral stem, and, at times, a liner, which are all made with metal alloys.
MODULAR NECK:
Employ an interchangeable femoral neck with a dual taper which fits between the femoral stem and femoral head.
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METAL-ON-POLYETHYLENE
Consist of a metal acetabular shell, femoral head, and metal femoral stem, along with a polyethylene liner that fits between the femoral head and the acetabular shell. Designed to remedy the problems with metal-on-metal hip systems, these devices using the polyethylene liner still involve metal-on-metal articulation, but in a different location – between the femoral head and femoral stem.
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Defective Hip Implant Injuries
Defective implant devices can lead to early device failure, significant tissue damage, and other serious complications, including:
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METAL TOXICITY(METALLOSIS):
Metal-on-metal components can wear against each other, releasing metal ions and resulting in the buildup of metal debris in the soft tissues of the body, due to wear and tear of metal components. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tissue damage around the implant site.
IMPANT LOOSENING:
Loosening of implant component parts, often due to failure of the components to properly bond to bone, leads to pain, instability, and difficulty moving or walking.
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PSEUDOTUMOR:
A non-cancerous growth of tissue that occurs when metal debris causes severe inflammation to the surrounding tissue.
OSTEOLYSIS:
A condition where bone becomes necrotic due to metal debris being deposited in the surrounding joint.
REVISION SURGERY:
Surgery to remove and replace the failed implant components and address damaged tissue.
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Fracture
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Pain & Suffering
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Infection
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Hip Implants Under Investigation
Numerous hip implant failure cases are actively being litigated around the United States. Plaintiffs generally allege the hip devices are defectively designed and that the companies that manufactured the devices failed to adequately warn both orthopedic surgeons and patients about the risks. Plaintiffs also allege the companies failed to properly or sufficiently test the hip implant devices before selling them to patients.
Lewis Saul & Associates is currently investigating cases primarily involving the following hip implant manufacturers and devices:
DEPUY ORTHOPAEDICS: ASR, Pinnacle
OMNI LIFE SCIENCE: Apex K2
SMITH & NEPHEW: Modular SMF, Modular REDAPT, Emperion
STYKER ORTHOPEDICS: ABGII, Accolade, Citation, LFIT V40, Meridian, Rejuvenate
WRIGHT MEDICAL: Conserve, Profemur
ZIMMER ORTHOPEDICS: Biomet CPT Hip System
CONTACT LEWIS SAUL & ASSOCIATES, P.C TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS
Whether you have undergone a revision surgery or not, if you or a loved one has been injured by a hip implant, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against the manufacturers for damages. For a free and confidential case evaluation, please call our office or complete our online contact form and we will promptly respond to your inquiry.