Biomet Inc. is facing a new metal hip replacement lawsuit filed by a Nevada resident who suffered serious complications from the company’s M2a Magnum hip implant, leading to revision surgery.

Plaintiff Louise Z. had the M2a Magnum hip implant implanted on her right hip on Feb. 27, 2006, without any prior knowledge of the adverse effects associated with metal on metal hip implants.

According to her hip replacement lawsuit, Biomet knew that the metal hip implant was defective and made no effort to warn Louise.

Louise stated that she had opted for the M2a Magnum hip implant, based on the marketing claims of the hip implant being a safe and effective option for hip replacement. In addition, her hip replacement lawsuit had stated the orthopedic surgeon performing the procedure had also relied on Biomet’s claim.

Ideally, a healthy hip joint would have no problem rotating, allowing movement for daily activities. However Louise reported experiencing pain after hip replacement, and was eventually forced to undergo revision surgery on May 20, 2015.

Before undergoing the revision surgery, Louise reported experiencing severe pain in the surgical site and was eventually diagnosed with hip replacement failure. It is important to note that the chances of hip replacement failure are higher with revision, compared to the initial procedure.

According to the hip replacement lawsuit, one of the main complications that led to the implant’s removal was metallosis, or blood metal poisoning. Metal on metal hip implants are made of a cobalt chromium alloy, composed of a rotating ball and socket joint that replaces the decaying bones.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Metal on metal hip implants are often very popular among patients because they are advertised to be longer lasting and more durable compared to the ceramic or plastic models. However the all-metal composition has reportedly led to numerous cases of hip replacement failure, as the metal ions are shed from the ball and socket joint.

This leads to a number of complications including infection, device failure, the formation of pseudotumor, and metallosis. These complications often cause the patient to feel pain after hip replacement, often resulting in device removal or replacement for patients.

Patients ultimately have to pay for the costs of both the initial and revision surgeries, along with the recovery costs. Biomet Inc. and other manufacturing companies have allegedly known about the complications of metal hip implants for years, but did nothing to warn patients.

Louise was no different in this respect, according to her hip replacement lawsuit, leading her to file legal action against the company. Louise states that if she had known about the metal hip implant complications, then she never would have used the M2a Magnum implant.

For the company’s responsibility in manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing an allegedly dangerous product, Louise is suing Biomet Inc. The charges includenegligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

The Biomet Hip Replacement Lawsuit is Louise Z. V. Biomet Inc., Case No. 3:16-cv-00139-RLM-CAN, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana, South Bend Division.