Brooklyn Municipal Liability Lawyer

Brooklyn Municipal Liability Lawyer

Hip Replacement Implants

Defective Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Implant Lawyer For New York And New Jersey

Hip implant devices were created with the intention to give people with painful and impaired hip function better mobility for a longer period of time. Traditional hip replacement implants were constructed of ceramic or plastic but over time, they needed to be replaced. Newer all-metal hip replacement systems were meant to be stronger and last longer. But metal-on-metal implants been proven to have a number of unexpected and severe side effects and experience a much higher failure rate than other types of implants. Several models of metal-on-metal hip replacements have been recalled by regulating agencies and manufacturers, and Great Britain’s National Health Service has recently announced a ban on metal-on-metal hip implants.

Metal-on-metal hip replacements have an unusually high failure rate, and that failure rate increases the longer that the hip remains implanted: in a study of one device manufactured by DePuy, the failure rate in patients hit 43% after nine years. Hip replacement complications including severe pain, inflammation, dead tissue and bone loss often forces patients to have a procedure to replace the implant, known as hip revision surgery. Several companies have manufactured metal-on-metal hip implants that have proven to be defective. There is a long list of reported hip replacement products, but here is a list of the most commonly reported implant devices:

  • Depuy Orthopaedics ASR XL Acetabular System
  • ASR Hip Resurfacing System
  • Wright Medical Technology Conserve Plus
  • Zimmer Holdings Durom Cup
  • Stryker Orthopaedics Rejuvenate
  • ABG II modular-neck hip stems
  • Biomet M2a metal-on-metal hip devices

Problems Caused By Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Implants

Metal-on-metal hip replacements were introduced because it was thought that they would be stronger and more durable than other types of implants. However, because of the movement of the hip’s ball-and-socket joint, the metal in all-metal hip implant devices can wear down and metal debris – usually chromium or cobalt – can flake off and enter surrounding tissue and the bloodstream. The metal debris can destroy the tissue around the artificial hip, which can cause the implant to loosen and fail. It is likely that people who have received a defective implant device will initially suffer pain, swelling, inflammation and infection from damage to surrounding bone and tissue. Additional hip revision surgery to remove the defective implant and replace it with a traditional ceramic component artificial hip will be required to correct the problems.

In addition, metal-on-metal hip implant systems can cause metallosis in some patients.

What Is Metallosis?

When very small metal particles rub off of the metal joint they can enter the bloodstream and cause metallosis, a type of metal poisoning that occurs when metal ions get into the bloodstream. Besides causing the general failure of the hip implant and requiring additional hip revision surgery, metallosis can cause serious complications affecting the nervous system, skin and other organs in the body.

Symptoms Of Metallosis

A study found that the symptoms of metallosis usually change over several months and that they are present within the first four years after the implant surgery. Symptoms of metallosis include:

  • Cardiomyopathy, including heart failure
  • Psychological changes – depression, anxiety, and other mental changes
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Nerve problems
  • Visual impairment that could lead to blindness
  • Hearing impairment that could lead to deafness
  • Thyroid problems
  • Skin rashes
  • Infection
  • Loosening of the implant
  • Noise coming from the hip

It is important to know that the risk and symptoms of metallosis may vary by individual, because each person can react very differently to high levels of cobalt. Tissue or bone death, called necrosis, is one of the most common symptoms of metallosis. With necrosis, the tissue around the implant turns gray or black from the metal debris flaking off the implant. This weakening causes pain and instability, which can lead to spontaneous dislocation of the joint, bone loss and fracture.

Compensation For Your Recovery

Medical bills: Medical bills can be very expensive and we work to get you compensation for follow-up surgeries, as well as the best physical therapy and rehabilitation, etc.

Lost income: A defective hip implant can turn your life upside down for a long time. You shouldn’t have to worry about providing for your family. We work to get the financial burden off of your back so that you recover peacefully.

Pain and suffering: An unexpected medical crisis can take a toll on you, both physically and mentally. We can’t undo the past, but we can help make your future as comfortable as possible.

Defective Hip Replacement Attorney Serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, New York And New Jersey

If you have been suffering from a defective hip replacement, contact our experienced, dedicated personal injury and hip lawsuit attorney today to discuss your situation and for a free, confidential case review. We accept personal injury and defective hip implant cases on a contingency basis, which means that you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Please give us a call at 347-318-4935 or contact us online today.