A woman from South Carolina says she suffered serious complications soon after getting an all metal Zimmer hip replacement.

The lawsuit states the metal on metal hip replacement system, the Magnum, has severely compromised the state of the plaintiff’s orthopedic health.

According to the claim, plaintiff’ Terri I. underwent a total left hip replacement surgery on March 11, 2014 and had the Magnum implanted for typical treatment purposes. However, the Zimmer hip replacement allegedly started causing problems for her not long after the surgery.

These device complications included significant pain and discomfort, along with dysfunction and limited range of motion.

The metal hip implant complications eventually forced Terri to undergo revision surgery on May 11, 2016, which the FDA has warned may be riskier to the patient than the initial implant surgery. Patients undergoing revision surgery face an increased risk because there is less bone to work with than in the original surgery.

Overview of Metal on Metal Hip Implant Complications

The Magnum is a metal on metal hip replacement prosthetic system. It is typically recommended for patients with deteriorating or damaged hip bones.

While marketed as a high quality product for patients needing to undergo hip replacement surgery, this device has allegedly been linked to serious complications that have become widely associated with metal on metal hip replacement systems in general.

All-metal hip implants consist of no plastic or ceramic parts, which means there is no barrier between the artificial ball and socket joints of the device. According to the FDA, when the all metal ball and socket joint components interact, metal ions may be shed into the bloodstream and can cause painful complications for patients including:

• Limited Range of Motion
• Debilitating Pain
• Infection
• Corrosion
• Fretting
• Tissue Death
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Cardiovascular Problems
• Neurological Problems

Each of these complications may cause the need for revision surgery, which, as previously noted, may be more dangerous than the actual implant procedure.

Terri opted to file legal action against Biomet after discovering the company had failed to sufficiently discuss potential device complications while promoting the Magnum to her orthopedic physician.

According to the lawsuit, a representative from Biomet had met with Terri’s orthopedic surgeon and had marketed the Magnum Device as a safe and effective product for hip replacement purposes. Despite these reassurances, Terri alleges she suffered a multitude of complications related to metal on metal hip implants and is contending with the chronic side effects of these injuries.

Further, even though these metal hip implant complications can be devastating to patients, Terri alleges in her lawsuit that Biomet failed to disclose this information to the public.

At all times relevant, Terri says that she and her orthopedic physicians had relied on the marketing materials presented by Biomet and had no reason to believe the Zimmer hip replacement was associated with any serious complications at the time it was recommended to her.

This Zimmer Lawsuit is Case No. 3:19-cv-00189-JFA, in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, Columbia Division.