Complaints are rolling in regarding failed metal on metal hip implant systems, including the supposedly improved model, the Zimmer MMC hip implant.

Designed to replace Zimmer’s failed Durom Cup, the Zimmer MMC hip implant allegedly experienced similar issues.

Zimmer temporarily suspended selling the Durom Cup in 2008 after only two years on the market due to reports of premature failures of the hip implants. Surgeons complained that the device was loosening and failing at a high rate.

Zimmer resumed sales of the Durom Cup after only a few months’ hiatus, saying the problem had been that surgeons were incorrectly implanting the mechanism.

Even so, Zimmer introduced its MMC Cup as a superior alternative to the Durom model.

The same metal on metal technology means this Zimmer MMC hip implant has similar problems that the Durom Cup had, 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.

That decision was largely based on Zimmer convincing the American medical community that the Durom Cup had a great success rate in Europe after seven years of tests. What Zimmer allegedly failed to note was that it changed the plasma coating of the Durom Cup before introducing it to the U.S market.

Apparently, this new coating was never tested, and the difference between the European and U.S. models was never disclosed. The alleged cover-up began in 2006 as Zimmer hurried to get the Durom Cup on the market to compete with similar hip implant systems.

Zimmer MMC Hip Implant Failures Mimic Those of DePuy Hip Implant Systems

The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System proved to have a one in eight failure rate within five years of implantation. The metal on metal 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.

The DePuy ASR by Johnson & Johnson involved a metal cup and metal ball that rubbed together, producing metal shavings.

The DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System also had a high failure rate similar to the ASR system.

Just a decade ago, these metal on metal hip implant systems such as the DePuy models and the Zimmer MMC hip implant were thought to be the new darlings of joint revision surgery.

Too many patients have experienced failed metal on metal hip implants and are suffering from 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 injured patients hold the medical device manufacturers responsible.

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.