Thousands of patients who had hip replacement surgery have been reporting serious metal hip implant problems. High failure rates, serious side effects and complications such as metal toxicity from replacement metal hips have prompted recalls, lawsuits, and government action.

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common joint replacement procedures performed in the United States.

Many people who suffer from osteoarthritis and other conditions find relief with this surgery and go on to live active, productive lives. Some, however, have suffered debilitating metal hip implant problems.

Indeed, an increasing number of patients are reporting metal hip implant problems. Once deemed a technological breakthrough that would extend the lifespan of artificial hip joints, metal hip implants often fail at a much higher-than-expected rate.

Metal Hip Implant Problems

Many metal hip implants were constructed using a hard metal, called cobalt, in order to extend the life of the hip replacement. Both of those hip replacement systems reportedly have a faulty design which results in the potential risk for metal hip implant problems such as:

• Metallosis – tissue poisoning due to metal ions and fragments
• Necrosis – tissue and bone death due to metallosis toxicity
• Osteolysis –dissolution of necrotic bone tissue, caused mainly by metal toxicity
• Systemic metal poisoning – body wide inflammation due to metallosis entry into the bloodstream
• Pseudotumors – false tumor formation surrounding the joint due to inflammation
• Bone Fracture – bones surrounding joint may weaken and fracture
• Revision Surgery – to replace implant due to pain or severe inflammation Reconstructive surgery – due to weakened bone tissue resulting in fractures of femur or pelvis

FDA Hip Implant Approval Process

The FDA does not require clinical trials for orthopedic implants if the device is similar to one already on the market. This ostensibly allows companies to make incremental changes to their devices without resubmitting them for approval.

Consequently, in May 2011, the FDA required certain hip implant manufacturers to provide data on levels of metal in the blood of patients implanted with their devices.

After reviewing the data and observational studies, the FDA found that metal hip implants pose a significant risk to the safety of patients due to the level of metallic debris disseminated into the body over time.

In January of 2013, the FDA proposed changes to existing rules that would require approval of new metal-on-metal hip replacements prior to their release.

Did You Experience Metal Hip Implant Problems?

Lawsuits against hip implant manufacturers—including Biomet, DePuy, Stryker, Wright and Zimmer—help patients pay for ongoing medical care and any procedures that may be necessary in the future. Money from settlements can also help with pain and suffering experienced by patients and their families.

If you have suffered from metal hip implant problems following a hip replacement surgery, you may be eligible for monetary compensation, either by joining a settlement or filing a defective metal hip implant lawsuit.

Even if you have not experienced symptoms of illness, you may be eligible for a new hip replacement in addition to other damages if you qualify. An experienced metal hip implant attorney can review your situation at no cost.