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.
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.
