Monday, January 30, 2012

Zimmer Hip Lawsuit in Ohio Alleges Need for Revision Surgery and Metallosis


Sales have been suspended in the United States for the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement component, since many doctors have reported a substantially higher need for further Zimmer hip revision surgery. One lawsuit filed by Ohio resident Theresa Brammer on September 21, 2011, alleged that due to design defects in the system, she was forced to undergo two hip revision surgeries. Potential Zimmer Durom Cup lawsuits are being reviewed throughout the United States.  Because many hip replacement patients are unaware of the type of implant used, cases are being investigated for any individuals who have experienced problems after a surgery since 2006. At the time Zimmer announced that they were stopping sales of the Durom Cup in the U.S., they recommended that hip replacement patients who received their implant contact a doctor if they experience hip pain more than three months after surgery.

Implications of Complications from the Durom Cup

Many doctors and patients question why these steps were not taken before Zimmer allowed their Durom Cup to be used in thousands of hip replacements. Individuals who received the Durom Cup, or who believe that their doctor may have used the newer hip component, have been advised by Zimmer to contact their doctor if they experience pain more than three months after surgery. Zimmer Durom Cup hip problems could lead to the need for further revisions and surgeries. Some plaintiffs are seeking to have the cases consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey under Judge Susan D. Wigenton, where many of the cases are currently pending.
The DePuy ASR is a metal-on-metal hip replacement system developed in 2005. Health care professionals have increasingly been warning about problems with metal-on-metal hip implants, which can shed metal particles into the body. The particles can damage soft tissue, cause inflammatory reactions and lead to bone loss. In July 2008, the manufacturer decided to suspend U.S. sales of the product, but a Zimmer Hip recall was not issued since they did not uncover evidence of any manufacturing defect or design defect.  In fact, they intend to reintroduce the artificial hip implant after they develop instructions about the special surgical techniques that doctors need to use to avoid the risk of Durom Cup problems.