Metal-on-Metal Hips
Metal-on-metal hip lawsuits continue to be investigated by the defective products lawyers at Arentz Law Group, P.C. as more and more victims experience problems with these potentially dangerous medical devices. Hip replacement systems that have multiple metal parts that come into contact with each other are prone to a higher rate of failure than other hip implants, and they have been known to cause a range of very serious problems. Our metal-on-metal hip lawyers have worked with clients who have suffered as a result of the following hip implant systems, among others:
If you have suffered pain, injury or even hip implant replacement surgery as a result of a metal-on-metal hip, you could be entitled to substantial compensation for your damages. Contact a metal-on-metal hip attorney at Arentz Law Group, P.C. today to schedule a free legal consultation where you will learn more about your rights.
Problems with Metal-on-Metal Hips
The respected medical journal the Lancet published a study in March 2012 that found that metal-on-metal hips have a failure rate that is significantly higher than that of hip implants that are not metal-on-metal in construction. In fact, according to a recent British study, rates of failure amongst hip implants currently in use were:
- 6.2% failure rate in metal-on-metal hips
- 2.3% failure rate in ceramic-on-ceramic hips
- 1/7% failure rate in metal-on-plastic hips
Based on these study results, experts concluded that metal-on-metal hips offer no additional benefit over other systems. In June 2012, an advisory panel convened by the FDA came to the same conclusion, stating that they saw very little reason to continue use of metal-on-metal hips.
Many of the problems with metal-on-metal hips occur when metal implant components grind against each other with normal use of the hip joint. This can cause tiny shards of metal to leak into the blood stream, which can lead to:
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Severe pain
- Restricted movement
- Trouble standing
- Pseudo-tumors
- Headaches
- Bone damage and death (necrosis)
- Soft tissue damage and death (necrosis)
- Damage to the optic nerve
- Blindness
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Noise coming from the hip implant
While a hip implant should last 15 to 20 years, many recipients of metal-on-metal hips have experienced implant failure within just a few years of implantation, necessitating painful and expensive hip implant revision surgery.
Contact a Defective Hip Implant Lawyer
If you have suffered problems after receiving a metal-on-metal hip implant, you are not alone. Our medical device lawyers are currently working with a number of clients who have experienced serious issues with metal-on-metal hips, and hip implant lawsuits are only expected to increase. You could be entitled to significant compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional damages but you need to act quickly before a statute of limitations infringes on your right to recover. Contact a metal-on-metal hip lawyer today to take the first step and schedule a free legal consultation.