Zimmer Hip Replacement Problems: Just the Facts

Many people are looking for clear, complete information about the Zimmer hip recall because they themselves have experienced Zimmer hip complications, or because they have watched a loved one struggle with Zimmer hip problems or hip revision surgery. Recently a wave of hip replacement recalls has rocked the orthopedic device industry, and it’s more important than ever to understand exactly how product recalls and lawsuits resulting from the Zimmer hip recall may affect you. This article will present the essential facts connected to this important issue, and explain the options that affected parties now face.

Zimmer Durom Cup Recall and Re-release

Zimmer Holdings, one of the largest orthopedic device manufacturers on the planet, was unaware of the serious issues with their Durom Cup implant until a respected surgeon made known his concerns. Dr. Larry Dorr reported in April 2008 that more than 8 percent of the patients he had implanted with a Durom Cup suffered failure of the device and were forced to undergo painful hip revision surgery within 2 years.
The Zimmer Durom Cup was designed to attach directly to the hipbone itself, without any screws or adhesives. But it was determined that in some cases the device simply slips free or even comes popping free from the hipbone. Sales of the implant were temporarily suspended in July 2008, but within a few months Zimmer Holdings was marketing the implant once again, this time with revised implant and fitting instructions for surgeons.
There are still many surgeons who refuse to implant the Zimmer Durom Cup device into their patients. There are 12,500 individuals in the United States who have received a Zimmer Durom cup implant, and dozens these recipients have filed a Zimmer Hip lawsuit against the device manufacturer. If you or someone you know has been implanted with the Zimmer Durom Cup and experienced failure or other complications, consulting a Zimmer Hip lawyer and filing a lawsuit may be the solution.

DePuy ASR Hip Recall and Fallout

The DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant device was recalled in August 2010, after the manufacturer confirmed failure rates of 12-13 percent taking place within 5 years of implantation. More than 90,000 people around the world have been implanted with the DePuy ASR device, with more than 30,000 of these surgeries taking place in the United States alone.
In early 2011, a British study determined that DePuy’s ASR device fails as much as 50 percent of the time within just 6 years. The implant was designed to function problem-free for at least 15 years. One of the complications the device has been found to cause is metallosis (metal poisoning), which can be lethal. The ASR system can shed cobalt and chromium particles into the patient’s bloodstream, which can result in destruction of surrounding soft tissues and blood poisoning.
To date, victims have filed more than 100 DePuy hip lawsuits in federal courts across the nation. It is expected that thousands more will be in process by the time the earliest lawsuits reach trial—probably in late 2011 or early 2012. Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of DePuy Orthopaedics, has set aside more than $922 to cover legal costs stemming from this recall, which may include DePuy hip lawsuit settlements.