Most people who undergo surgery for hip replacement experience positive outcomes in their daily life like better mobility, reduced pain, a better quality of life, and improvements in their daily activities.

Problems caused by arthritis can be treated with hip replacement surgery. Broken hips, hip fractures, avascular necrosis, and other conditions can also lead to a surgical replacement. One unexpected aspect of this kind of surgery, however, is when the patient reports a failing hip replacement.

Does Every Artificial Hip Fail?

Although some models of artificial hips have been connected to a higher-than-usual failure rate, this does not mean that every person will have a failing hip replacement. It’s important for the artificial hip recipient to know how and when to schedule a doctor’s appointment if their hip does appear to be weakening or failing entirely.

Some of the models most likely to fall into the category of failing hip replacements are reportedly metal on metal hip implants. One of the reasons for this is that the metal components rub one another and can break down, potentially sending particles throughout the body. The fretting ultimately causes a failing hip replacement and recommended removal or replacement of that device.

What Are the Most Common Ways for a Metal Hip to Fail?

Any of the following signs should be noted by a hip recipient and reported to their doctor as soon as possible. Signs of a hip replacement failure, often with ongoing pain, can include swelling, loose components, metallosis, tissue inflammation, or a pseudotumor.

Given the importance of a hip replacement for mobility purposes, this often means that the person whose replacement has issues has difficulty walking.

There are a number of symptoms that are early signs of impending hip replacement failure. If a patient continues to experience these for some time, this information should be shared with a doctor: swelling, a popping sound, an insecure feeling while walking, or a feeling of heat radiating from the area.

Do I Have to Have the Hip Removed?

Recovering from an initial hip replacement surgery can be very involved. Most patients want to know the risks and possible benefits before going through that surgery and the same goes for a second-time-around replacement of a failing hip.

The kinds of symptoms you’re experiencing and the overall likelihood or danger of the next hip replacement failing will all be taken into consideration by your doctor when you determine whether or not to undergo the risks of an additional procedure.

Metal on metal hip implants fail at a rate that is six times higher than metal on plastic versions, according to the Arthritis Foundation. When a total failure occurs, the device has to be removed and replaced with a new version.

This revision surgery is more expensive, could be less successful than the initial procedure, and carries risks of infection and other problems. For that reason, it’s possible for patients to continue experiencing pain and other symptoms even when the failing implant is removed and replaced with a new device.

An FDA panel is currently discussing metal hip implant problems. If your metal on metal hip implant failed, you might be able to speak with an attorney about possible legal action.

Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits

Thousands of patients who claim they were injured by defective metal hip replacements have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of these medical devices. In May 2019, Johnson & Johnson agreed to an almost $1 billion settlement in order to resolve claims made by approximately 6,000 patients whose defective Pinnacle hip implants had to be removed. These patients claimed that Johnson & Johnson metal hip replacement systems had left them unable to walk, or resulted in their development of chronic health conditions or chronic pain.

According to the victims, medical device manufacturers of faulty hips had failed to warn patients of the severe injuries that could be caused by these implants. Additionally, investigations into some of the defective metal hip devices indicate that these implants may never have been tested on humans before being approved for the market.

One woman who spoke with ABC 11 about her metal hip implant claims that the DePuy device caused her to develop metal poisoning (metallosis), which lead to serious side effects including losing her hair and nails, feeling fatigued, and eventually developing cardiomyopathy, or heart damage. According to her, the metal poisoning caused by the failing hip replacement left her with serious and permanent heart problems that have persisted even after having the hip implant removed.

“Even though the hip is out of me the cardiomyopathy does not end,” she told the news organization. “There is still enough metal in there that has caused damage; the damage is done.”