Metal-on-metal hips have been the subject of growing concern. Numerous recent studies and health advisories have found that metal hip replacements have high failure rates and often require revision surgery. Studies have also found that the friction between the ball-and-socket joint of the metal hip replacement may cause metal debris to loosen and release into the bloodstream, leading to metallosis and dangerous levels of cobalt and chromium in patients’ bloodstream.
More information on specific metal-on-metal hip lawsuits:
- DePuy ASR Hip Replacement
- DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement
- Biomet Magnum Hip Replacement
- Smith & Nephew Hip Recall
- Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Hip Recall
- Wright Conserve Hip Replacement
- Wright Profemur Hip Replacement
Growing Evidence of Dangers of Metal-On-Metal Hips
There have been nearly 17,000 adverse events about metal-on-metal hips reported to the FDA from 2000-2011. The most commonly reported adverse event is requiring revision surgery. To date, the FDA has received 14,131 reports of patients who were forced to undergo revision surgery and 8,704 adverse event reports involving hip pain.
Some of the recent studies and warnings on the dangers of metal-on-metal hips include:
- Health Canada issued a warning for patients to be aware of metal hip replacement problems and adverse effects in May 2012.
- An investigation by the British Medical Journal in February 2012 advised patients that they should be monitored annually for signs of metallosis for as long as they had a metal hip implant.
- A study published in The Lancet medical journal in March 2012 concluded that metal-on-metal hips should not be used at all due to serious issues with the safety of the implants.
FDA Panel Evaluated Risks of Metal Hip Implants
Most recently, the FDA convened an expert panel in June 2012 to evaluate metal-on-metal hip problems and to determine future guidelines for the devices. The presenters at the panel included doctors, representatives from hip manufacturers, consumer advocacy groups and concerned patients. At the open public part of the hearings, consumers spoke out against metal-on-metal hips.
Dr. Diane Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women & Families, a researcher trained at Yale Medical School, decided against getting a metal hip replacement because of the lack of data on the safety of the devices at the time. After learning more about the dangers of the hips, she told the panel: “Keeping these implants on the market for the next 5 years while research is being done is not an ethical decision…I believe a tragic mistake was made by allowing these products on the market without good data.”
Certain Metal-On-Metal Hips Recalled
In August 2010, Johnson & Johnson recalled the ASR hip replacement manufactured by DePuy Orthopedics because of their high failure rates. In July 2012, Stryker recalled its Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant parts because of their side effects. Although metal-on-metal hip implants have not been banned from the market, most of the evidence suggests that they are far too dangerous to be implanted.
“In my personal opinion there is very little room, if any, for metal-on-metal implants because the alternatives we have on the market are likely safer and as effective,” Dr. Art Sedrakyan, professor of public health at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York commented in a Huffington Post report on the FDA metal hips hearing.
Contact a Hip Replacement Lawyer Today To Learn More about Filing a Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit
The hip replacement lawyers at our firm continue to monitor developments on the safety of metal hip implants. Our lawyers are currently providing free and confidential case evaluations. If you have a metal-on-metal hip implant and experienced complications as a result, consider joining the thousands of other patients who are filing metal hip replacement lawsuits to seek compensation for your injuries. Our lawyers are filling cases on behalf of individuals with metal hip implants such as:
- DePuy ASR Hip Replacement
- DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement
- Biomet Magnum Hip Replacement
- Smith & Nephew Hip Recall
- Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Hip Recall
- Wright Conserve Hip Replacement
- Wright Profemur Hip Replacement
In addition, we are investigating the Smith & Nephew recall of the metal liner component of its R3 Acetabular System, as well as the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II hip recall. Contact our lawyers today for a free case review by calling 1-877-779-1414.
