Hip replacement complications & failure
Several makers of hip replacement devices are embroiled in lawsuits due to complications suffered by patients who received faulty hip implant apparatus. These patients claim the manufacturers made and sold defective products and in some cases neglected to warn the public about the implant’s risks.
A staggering early failure rate has occurred with some hip replacement products. Where hip implants should generally last an expected 15 years, certain hip replacements fail within a few years of surgery.
Defective hip implants have given rise to thousands of lawsuits against manufacturers of hip replacements, including DePuy (Johnson & Johnson), Zimmer, Stryker, Wright Medical, Smith & Nephew and Biomet.
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Each year, thousands of patients undergo hip replacement surgery to reconstruct damaged or diseased joints. Hip replacement surgery involves removing the unhealthy hip joint and replacing it with an artificial hip joint, or implant. Hip implant devices consist of a ball component and a socket component, typically made of metal, ceramic or plastic. These components are designed to be accepted by your body, and to be resistant to deterioration and wear.
Patients receiving hip replacements expect to be able to live with restored or improved mobility and without pain. However, a high number of complaints have resulted from patient receiving hip implants. Defective hip replacement devices have led to complications that leave patients in agony and often more disabled then they had been before their hip replacement.
Causes of Hip Replacement Complications
- Breakage of the artificial joint
- Improper fit of the artificial joint – causing pain and difficulty walking
- Loosening of the joint – the artificial joint separates from the bone, rather than fusing with it
- Dislocation
- Severe inflammation and swelling
- Infections
- Tissue and bone damage
- Defective materials – Hip implants made with metal-on-metal and metal-on-plastic components have resulted in debris being produced from the friction and abrasive wear of the ball and socket joints. With metal-on-metal implants, metal particles can be released into the body around the area of the implant. This can lead to metallosis, a type of metal poisoning. Metallosis can lead to severe complications that may affect the nervous system, the skin and other organs. Metal-on-plastic implants release polyethylene particles into the body that can lead to a condition known as osteolysis.
Complications Lead to Revision Surgery
Revision surgery is often required to replace a defective hip implant. Patients must undergo the costly and difficult ordeal of replacing the hip replacement device. These surgeries are complicated and multiple surgeries may be required, causing extensive pain and suffering to the patient.
Have you suffered the from complications of a hip replacement?
If so, you may have a case. The attorneys at Davis & Crump are experienced in handling defective hip implant cases. Consult with us today about your potential claim without cost or obligation. Our firm fronts all costs associated with your case, so there is no fee unless we make a successful recovery for you.
Fill out a free claim evaluation or call us at 1-800-277-0300 to get started.
