Metal-on-metal hip implants have been the subject of many articles criticizing alleged design defects that can result in the fretting of metal fragments into a patient’s body — among a host of other problems. Now, one such hip implant lawsuit has been launched against a metal-on-polyethylene implant. 

Canadian patient David Goldsmith has filed a class action lawsuit against Zimmer Biomet. He says that he had a hip replacement in which he was fitted with a Zimmer hip system made of metal and polyethylene implant. 

In a metal-on-polyethylene hip system, both metal and plastic are used in the device, in an attempt to ensure that the device’s elements wear well on one another. 

In his hip implant lawsuit, Goldsmith says that he experienced negative symptoms after his implant, for over ten years. Allegedly, his implant dislocated a number of times, which caused him pain and balance issues. He also said that he experienced vertigo and strange skin infections.

Goldsmith claims that he then visited his doctor’s office, where he was told that his symptoms might be linked to problems with his hip implant. Allegedly, he had blood tests done that revealed the chromium and cobalt levels in his blood were much higher than they should be.

The metal-on-polyethylene hip implant lawsuit says that Goldsmith was diagnosed with metallosis, likely caused because metal from his hip implant was fretting off from the implant and entering his bloodstream, as is usually found with metal-on-metal hip implants.

Metal Hip Lawsuit

Allegedly, Goldsmith had to have revision surgery to replace the hip implant. He claims that he was injured by the device’s defects, which cause him pain and suffering, and by the revision surgery, which caused him more pain and increased his risk of infection and complication.

Now, Goldsmith aims to hold Zimmer Biomet liable for his injuries and the injuries of all other patients who were implanted with a metal-on-polyethylene hip implant “consisting of Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis, and Zimmer Versys Hip System” or any of the elements of which these systems are composed.

Other customers have filed similar lawsuits against companies, claiming that metal from their hip implants has worn off of the devices and entered their bloodstream. Like Goldsmith, these other patients claimed that the metal fretting off of the device caused a host of other problems, including how the device components fit together. Allegedly, the wearing away of the metal can cause the hip to not move in place, causing pain, difficulty moving, and dislocation.

CVT News says that one such lawsuit was decided in favor of a New Mexico patient, who was awarded $2 million for his injuries allegedly linked to Zimmer hip implant problems, including metallosis.

According to Verywellhealth, there are different types of hip replacement devices. The difference between Goldsmith’s case and these other lawsuits is that Goldsmith’s problems are associated with a metal-on-polyethylene device. Multiple hip implant makers — not just Zimmer Biomet — but DePuy and J&J have also faced criticism over metal-on-metal hip implants. In the USA, customers claimed that the metal-on-metal designs should not have been given the fast-track FDA approval that they received, as they are different from metal-on-polyethylene implants.

CVT News notes that most Canadians have had good results with metal-on-polyethylene hips systems like Goldsmith’s, saying that medical professionals state that use of those hip devices is common.