Reports of Adverse Events with Zimmer MMC Hip Implant

Many times, when a patient receives an artificial hip replacement, he or she is implanted with what is known as a metal-on-metal hip implant, such as the Zimmer MMC hip implant.

Metal-on-metal hip implants, including the Zimmer MMC hip implant, have been under fire as many complaints of serious side effects have been reported.

The side effects from metal-on-metal hip implants can include a higher risk of cancer, degenerative heart disease, cardiomyopathy, tumors surrounding the hip implant itself, pain, swelling, inflammation and device failure.

Metallosis can also occur with a Zimmer MMC hip implant or other metal-on-metal hip implants. Metallosis is a condition in which metal particles such as cobalt and chromium are released into surrounding tissue and the bloodstream as a result of the metal components of the implant rubbing together.

A popular product of Zimmer Medical is the Zimmer MMC hip implant. This was created to take the place of the Durom Acetabular Cup which had a very high failure rate. Zimmer is the nation’s largest producer of orthopedic devices.

Since 2006, the Durom artificial hip implant has been implanted into the bodies of over 12,000 patients. It was product marketed to younger, more active individuals.

By 2008, Zimmer halted the sales of the Durom cup because of the high failure rate, but began to sell them again just a couple months later. Zimmer has been accused of misleading surgeons intentionally about the safety of their devices.

The Durom Cup was found to have a higher than average failure rate and the need for revision surgery was high. In fact, one doctor found that of 165 Durom hip systems that he implanted, 14 needed revision within two years of initial surgery.

In July 2015, these Durom Cup complications secured a $9.2 million verdict for a patient who had to experience two hip replacement surgeries after receiving the Zimmer product.

When the Zimmer MMC hip implant was introduced to the market, patients complained of similar side effects as the Durom Cup. These include metallosis, implant failure, loosening of the device and hip revision surgery.

The necessity for hip revision surgery is especially concerning because more complications occur with each successive surgery.

Both the Zimmer Durom Cup implant system and the Zimmer MMC hip implant may present adverse side effects in patients. If you believe you or someone you love has been affected adversely by either a Zimmer Durom Cup implant system or a Zimmer MMC hip implant, you may benefit from speaking to an experienced attorney about your legal options.