Metal hip implants have been associated with many different problems and side effects.

Patients who have undergone problems with their metal on metal hip implant have had to file Depuy ASR lawsuits after undergoing revision surgeries and coping with pain and problems in their daily life.

This has led to a global controversy over the use of these metal on metal hip implants because of their high risk of failure in which plaintiffs contend they should have been given more details about the problems in advance of going through the hip implant surgery for metal on metal or, MOM hip implants.

What Are Most Common Complications of Metal Hip Implants?

Bone loss and total failure of the implant are some of the most commonly documented problems with MOM hip implants.

According to recent research published in the journal Biomaterials, investigators believe that metal debris breaking down from the implants and traveling throughout the body could cause issues with metallosis. The metal debris has also been associated with the problematic ability to form new bone.

How Are Metal on Metal Hip Implants Constructed?

MOM hip implants are made using a cup and a ball, manufactured of chromium and cobalt alloy. This was intended to be an alternative to implants that had plastic or ceramic components. However, MOM implants have been associated with very high failure rate and painful joint loosening. This artificial joint loosening could ultimately lead to revision surgery needs.

How Do the Particles Affect the Patient’s Body?

Small chromium and cobalt particles are reportedly produced when the metal ball of the hip rotates against the metal socket. This is often first identified by the patient in the form of inflammation in the tissues around that implant. Function of stem cells near the bone marrow can also be severely impeded by problems with a metal on metal hip implant.

MOM Hip Implant Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson recently agreed to pay a $120 million in a 46-state case settlement about the alleged misrepresentation of the longevity, effectiveness, and safety of two metal hip replacement products.

Part of that settlement also included a commitment from manufacturer DePuy to revise how they sell, promote and track their line of hip replacement products. In 2018, the hip replacement products marketed under the DePuy name brought in $1.4 billion in revenue.

Hip implant lawsuits argue that the companies making these devices had plenty of reason to suspect the devices would fail, but that this upfront information about the risks was never disclosed to patients.

Hip Implant Recalls

DePuy recalled
their metal on metal systems in 2010 and, in some cases, has reportedky covered the cost of corrective surgeries in the United Kingdom.

That recall occurred in 2010 after it was clear that debris from wear and tear was causing significant damage and leading to a large number of hip implant revision surgery. The DePuy ASR system was originally approved in 2003 for use in Europe but was withdrawn after it had been used in more than 10,000 patients.