DePuy metal hip and Zimmer metal hip implant systems continue to be blamed for problems in patients who have received the metal-on-metal hip implants.

Reports show the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System proved to have a one in eight failure rate within five years of implantation. The DePuy metal hip system was recalled in August 2010 after being used in more than 90,000 hip surgeries because of the incidence of metal poisoning and other damage to surrounding tissue.

Both the DePuy ASR and DePuy Pinnacle involved a metal cup and metal ball that rubbed together, producing metal shavings.

Ten years ago, DePuy metal hip systems were thought to be the answer for patients who were seeking to maintain an active lifestyle. The metal-on-metal parts were marketed as showing improved mobility, long-lasting durability, and a low failure rate.

Today, many patients have suffered failed metal on metal hip implants and are dealing with pain and inflammation in the hip, leg or groin area, tissue death, bone injuries and metal poisoning.

Thousands of hip replacement lawsuits have been filed nationwide as painfully disappointed patients seek to hold the medical device manufacturers responsible.

DePuy Metal Hip System Similar to Zimmer Failed Hip Implant

Zimmer Medical has produced failed metal-on-metal hip implant systems, too.

The Durom Cup had sales suspended in 2008 after only two years on the market due to reports of premature failures of the hip implants. Doctors said the device was becoming loose and failing at a high rate.

Zimmer resumed sales of the Durom Cup after only a few months hiatus, blaming surgeons who Zimmer alleged incorrectly implanted the device.

Still, Zimmer introduced a redesigned cup called the MMC Cup and marketed the MMC as a superior alternative to its Durom Cup.

The MMC ended up with the same problems shown in the Durom, though. Metal pieces constantly scrape against each other, releasing tiny pieces of metal shavings into the body. These metal shavings irritate tissue and can poison the bloodstream. Pain, swelling, metal poisoning and tissue death can result, creating the need for a revision surgery.

In July 2015, a jury awarded a California man $9.2 million because of a failed Durom Cup hip implant that resulted him enduring two hip replacement surgeries within 15 months.

The California decision was largely based on Zimmer’s alleged failure to share information with the American medical community. Zimmer said that the Durom Cup had a great success rate in Europe after seven years of tests. But Zimmer allegedly failed to disclose that it changed the plasma coating of the Durom Cup before releasing it in the U.S.

Plaintiffs alleged the newly formulated coating was never tested, and the difference between the European and U.S. models was not disclosed. The company supposedly didn’t want to take the time to test the new coating because in 2006, Zimmer was in a rush to compete with similar hip implant systems, such as the DePuy metal hip.

If you have experienced pain or any other side effects from a DePuy ASR, DePuy Pinnacle or Zimmer MMC hip implant system, you may qualify to participate in a hip replacement surgery lawsuit.