Metal Hip ImplantHave you or someone you love suffered an injury because of a defective metal on metal hip replacement device? You may be able to seek damages by filing a metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit.  Hiring an attorney will put you in the best position to maximize your financial award. Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our metal on metal hip replacement lawyers will review your case and help you understand your rights. Call our law firm to get started today at (866) 623-9182.

Hundreds of thousands of hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States every year. Many of these procedures involve metal on metal hip replacement systems. Unfortunately, metal on metal implants are associated with several health risks and complications. As a result, many recipients of these devices develop severe injuries and require follow-up revision surgeries.

Why Are People Filing Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits?

Metal on Metal Hip Replacement LawsuitsAll hip replacement systems are made up of two different parts: the ball and the socket. The ball and socket rub together in your hip joint when you move and create friction. In metal devices, this friction can cause metal particles to accumulate in nearby tissue and the bloodstream.

A buildup of toxic chromium and cobalt metal ions in the blood can have devastating health effects throughout the entire body. Many patients experience symptoms including:

Hip replacement manufacturers have failed to warn doctors and patients about the potential risks associated with metal on metal hip replacement systems. As a result, thousands of patients have suffered painful and debilitating injuries. Lawsuits have been filed against these companies to hold them responsible for injuries caused by their dangerous metal on metal hip systems.

Do you have a metal on metal hip replacement system implant? You may have a legitimate case on your hands, even if you haven’t developed any symptoms or injuries. It can take months for metal toxicity to cause any noticeable health effects. However, the toxicity can do a lot of damage during this time.

Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers if you’re concerned that your metal on metal hip replacement is threatening your health. Our metal on metal hip injury lawyers will review your case and explain your rights. Your consultation is free, so call today to learn more.

Research Reveals Stryker Tritanium Acetabular Shell Implant May Loosen Prematurely

Stryker is a leading hip implant manufacturer. Since 2008, its Tritanium Acetabular Shell has been used in countless hip repair surgeries across the country. In 2013, Stryker published a self-funded study touting the fact that none patients who’d received the Tritanium Acetabular Shell had reported any adverse issues or complications following surgery. In other words, the company claimed to have a zero percent failure rate.

However, subsequent independent studies have challenged Stryker’s claims. Specifically, research has revealed that the Tritanium Acetabular Shell may loosen prematurely because the implant’s Particle Sintered Foam may not integrate properly with the acetabular bone (pelvis). As a result, patients who have received Stryker’s Tritanium Acetabular Shell have been forced to undergo revision surgery to repair or replace the defective device.

Despite the fact that there is research to suggest that Stryker’s shell system might fail, the company has not recalled the device. However, if your Tritanium Acetabular Shell has loosened, or if your doctor has suggested or performed a second hip replacement surgery because of your defective implant, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced legal team at Rosen Injury Injury lawyers to learn more about your legal options and how we might be able to help you maximize your financial recovery.

Do I Have a Metal on Metal Hip Lawsuit?

Metal on metal hip implants can cause health issues, including dislocations, the need for additional surgeries, bone loss, renal failure, and vision loss. If you’ve had a metal on metal hip implant, you may also be more likely to need a second surgery to replace the defective device. A second surgery can be risky and put your health in further danger.

You may have the right to file a metal on metal hip injury lawsuit. Your lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation for:

Only an experienced metal on metal hip injury attorney can tell you if you have a legitimate claim against a hip manufacturer. You may have a hip injury case if you:

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Metal on Metal Hip Lawsuit?

Thousands of metal on metal hip injury lawsuits have already been filed in courts across the country. If you have been harmed because of a metal on metal device, you may also have the right to file a lawsuit of your own. However, there are strict limits on when you can file a claim.

Metal on metal injury lawsuits are generally product liability claims. As a result, the statute of limitations that apply to product liability cases will likely apply to your case, as well. In most situations, you’ll have between one and two years from the date you discover that your injury was caused by a metal on metal implant to file your legal claim. The specific amount of time you’ll have to file your lawsuit will depend on the laws of your state.

You can protect your right to file a lawsuit by contacting an attorney as soon as you discover your metal on metal hip injury. In fact, it can help to speak with an attorney if you begin to suspect that your metal hip implant is causing problems.

Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to find out how our experienced legal team can help you hold negligent hip implant manufacturers responsible for your injuries. Your consultation is free, so don’t hesitate to call for help now.

Why Are Metal on Metal Hip Implants Used?

Metal on Metal Hip replacementMetal on metal hip replacement systems were designed to reduce complications that had become commonplace in surgeries using plastic and ceramic devices. Metal implants have been shown to last longer and be more durable than other types of systems. Studies also show that metal implants are less prone to fracture and dislocation after surgery.

However, some hip manufacturers have failed to disclose many risks and adverse health effects that can be caused by a metal on metal implant. New studies suggest that metal on metal systems may not be a safer alternative.

Metal Toxicity Caused By Metal on Metal Hip Systems

Metallosis, or metal poisoning, occurs when cobalt and chromium particles shed away from the hip implant. The particles accumulate in tissue surrounding the joint and enter the bloodstream. A buildup of metal ions can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, causing severe pain and tissue damage.

Complications Associated With Metallosis

Extremely high levels of metal in the blood can cause systemic health issues. As a result, you may begin to experience symptoms of metal poisoning in other parts of the body. Health issues that are associated with metallosis include:

Signs of Metal Toxicity

It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you begin to notice signs of metallosis after your hip replacement surgery. Symptoms of metallosis include:

Revision surgery is often the only way to treat metallosis. Surgeons will have to perform a second operation to remove or repair the defective hip implant.

Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Complications

Metal on metal hip implants are associated with a variety of adverse health issues. Many of these injuries are caused by metallosis.

Pseudotumors

Pseudotumors are an unexpected growth of fluid around the soft tissue at the site of surgery. The mass isn’t cancerous but can cause significant health problems. Pseudotumors typically form when metal ions in the blood corrode and damage cellular tissue.

Complications associated with pseudotumors include:

Studies show that between 28 and 39 percent of patients receiving metal on metal hip implants develop pseudotumors after surgery.

Osteolysis

Sometimes metal shards chip off when the two metal parts of a hip implant rub together. This causes soft tissue inflammation and osteolysis, which is also known as bone loss.

What causes bone loss? Metal particles can affect certain types of cells located in the bone marrow. Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are located in the marrow and can transform into highly-specialized cells known as osteoblasts. Osteoblasts play an important role in building new bone cells. Studies have shown that metal particles can prevent MSCs from converting into osteoblasts. As a result, new bone cells cannot form.

Osteolysis can increase the risk of implant failure or dislocation. Other complications associated with bone loss include:

Adverse Local Tissue Reaction

Metal particles can cause significant damage to soft tissue that surrounds the bone and hip joint. This is known as an adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) or adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR). Soft tissue damage caused by ALTR can cause severe health complications, including:

Revision surgery will be required to prevent additional damage to the body caused by ALTR.

Femoral Neck Fracture

Metal on metal implants are supposed to be durable and strong. For years, many surgeons chose to use a metal hip replacement system because the risk of fracture was believed to be low. However, bones may be more prone to breaking when a metal on metal system is used in a hip resurfacing arthroplasty procedure.

In a hip resurfacing arthroplasty, the head of the thigh bone – or the femur – is not removed and replaced. Instead, the bone is trimmed and covered with a metal cap. The femoral neck sits just below this metal cap. When the metal pieces of the system rub together, excessive strain is placed on the femoral neck.

As a result, many patients have experienced femoral neck fractures. When this happens, the femoral head can completely or partially separate from the rest of the bone. This can move the bone out of position, cause the implant to fail, and even disrupt blood flow the bone itself.

Hip Revision Surgery

When metal on metal implants fail, patients are often required to undergo a second surgery to replace the dangerous device. This is known as revision surgery. Studies have shown that as many as 6 percent of metal on metal hip system recipients require revision surgery due to complications.

Surgery, particularly a revision surgery, can carry significant risks. These can include:

Revision surgeries tend to be more difficult than initial hip replacement procedures. As a result, patients can experience pain, discomfort, and distress for an extended period of time.

Pregnancy Complications

You may want to think twice about getting a metal on metal hip implant if you are planning on expanding your family. Studies have shown that chromium and cobalt metal ions in the blood can cross the placenta. While the placenta does reduce the level of dangerous toxins that can reach a child in utero, there still may be increased risks of congenital deformities or birth issues.

Metal on Metal Hip Device Recalls

Several metal on metal hip replacement systems have been recalled due to complications and the threat posed to implant patients. You may still have the right to file a lawsuit, even if your metal on metal hip implant has been recalled by the hip manufacturer. Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to learn about your legal rights and options today.

Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Recall

In 2016, Stryker voluntarily recalled its LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 Femoral Heads. The recall was issued when the company learned that its taper lock mechanism was prone to failure in many of the devices. The taper lock connects the femoral head to the femoral neck. When the lock fails, the device is prone to corrosion. This can accelerate fracturing and increase the risk of metallosis.

Stryker ABG II & Rejuvenate Recalls

In 2012, Stryker issued voluntary recalls for two of its most popular metal on metal hip replacement systems: the ABG II Modular Hip Stem and Rejuvenate Modular Stems. Both of these systems were associated with higher-than-normal reports of metal poisoning in implant patients. As a result, the rate of revision surgery in Stryker implant patients was unusually high.

DePuy ASR Hip Implant Recall

In 2010, DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, issued a voluntary recall for two of its metal on metal hip implants. Research showed that the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR Acetabular 300 Hip System were associated with a higher-than-normal failure rate.

The DePuy metal on metal implants had a failure rate of nearly 40 percent, compared to the industry average of less than 10 percent. The failure rate has been attributed to some of the features that are unique to the DePuy systems, including a smaller than normal femoral head, greater abduction angles, and the shallowness of the femoral cup.

DePuy Orthopaedics has already paid out more than $1 Billion to patients who have suffered injuries because of complications associated with the company’s metal on metal implant systems. The manufacturer still faces several lawsuits across the country.

Zimmer Durom Acetabular Cup Recall

In 2008, the FDA issued a Class II Recall for a metal on metal hip implant system manufactured by Zimmer. Research showed that the technology and design of the Durom Acetabular Cup was more complicated than other metal on metal hip systems.

Lawsuits alleged that Zimmer failed to provide orthopedic surgeons and patients with proper instruction and training. As a result, the Durom Cup was at an increased risk of failure after surgery, affecting more than 19,000 patients. Many surgeons have argued that the rate of failure is associated with a design flaw, and not improper surgical technique.

Zimmer M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology Recall

In 2015, the FDA issued a Class I Recall for Zimmer’s M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology. The M/L device was designed to give a surgeon a certain degree of flexibility in tailoring the implant to fit the patient during surgery. However, it was discovered that Zimmer’s metal on metal hip system was coated in higher than expected amounts of manufacturing residue.

Microport ProFemur Plus CoCr Modular Neck Recall

In 2015, MicroPort Orthopedics issued a Class I Recall for its ProFemur Plus CoCr Modular Neck. The metal on metal system was associated with a higher than normal risk of corrosion and adverse health consequences, including metallosis.

Microport Long Cobalt Chrome 8 Degree Varus/Valgus Modular Neck Recall

In 2015, the FDA issued a Class I Recall for Wright Medical’s Long Cobalt Chrome 8 Degree Varus/Valgus Modular Neck. The recall was issued in response to reports that the metal on metal implant system was unusually prone to fracture and dislocation after surgery.

Smith & Nephew R3 Metal Liners Recall

In 2012, Smith & Nephew issued a voluntary recall for metal liners that were used in its RC Acetabular System. Several patients required revision surgery after the metal on metal system was implanted. The company learned that the metal lining used in the system was prone to failure and caused the device to loosen and dislocate from the joint.

Contact Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Attorney at Rosen Injury Lawyers Today

Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers to find out how our compassionate legal team can help you get the money you deserve for your metal on metal hip injury. As your attorneys, we will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf and fight to protect your rights. Call today to schedule your free consultation and learn more.