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Total Hip Arthroplasty Overview
A total hip arthroplasty replaces a damaged hip with an artificial hip implant that allows the hip to move in the same way. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that a hip replacement may be necessary if the hip joint is injured, damaged by arthritis, or affected by another condition.
During total hip arthroplasty surgery, the femoral head and part of the hip socket are removed and replaced with an implant. Implants can be made of metal, plastic, or a combination of the two.
Generally, a doctor recommends a total hip arthroplasty when hip pain limits every day activities, affects a patient even when resting, is accompanied by stiffness that affects mobility, and/or cannot be managed by anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, or walking support.
Side Effects and Complications of Hip Replacement Implants
After hip replacement surgery, patients will likely experience pain and stiffness during the healing process. Patients physical therapy after surgery helps build up strength in the new joint. In some rare cases, patients may experience more severe complications such as joint infections, blood clots, dislocation, loosening, and more.
Other side effects of a hip replacement will mostly depend on the type of hip replacement. Metal-on-metal hip replacement implants have been associated with higher rates of side effects. Complications from a metal hip implant may include:
- Metal corrosion of the implant, releasing metallic ions into the joint and bloodstream;
- Cobalt poisoning;
- Tissue death;
- Loss of bone strength;
- Hip dislocation;
- Pseudotumors in hip joint;
- Degenerative heart disease;
- Cancer;
- And more.
If side effects are unmanageable or if a hip replacement implant fails completely, hip revision surgery may be required. During this surgery, the old implant is removed along with any damaged bone and a new implant is placed. Unfortunately, there is not any guarantee that a revision surgery will provide a permanent solution – further revisions may be required in the future.
Total Hip Replacement Recalls & Alerts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released information on the risks of metal on metal hip replacements and their concerns regarding the implants.
“All artificial hip implants carry risks including wear of the component material,” the FDA notes. “Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants have unique risks in addition to the general risks of all hip implants.”
In 2011, the FDA required implant manufacturers to conduct post-market surveillance of metal on metal hip implants after a 2010 study from the United Kingdom showed that metal on metal hip implants were prone to more complications and higher incidences of implant failure when compared to other hip implants.
Since the FDA stepped in, fewer manufacturers have been making metal-on-metal hip replacements. Plastic-based hip replacement implants have become more popular.
Total Hip Arthroplasty Lawsuits & Settlements
In thousands of lawsuits filed against hip implant manufacturers, consumers claim they suffered severe complications and required revision surgery due to defective metal-on-metal hip replacements. In some cases, manufacturers have agreed to multimillion dollar settlements to resolve many consumer claims at once.
Consumers who needed revision surgery after their metal-on-metal hip replacement failed may be able to take legal action against implant manufacturers to recover medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.
