Patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery may be questioning whether the device they received is one of the recalled devices mentioned in news reports and at issue in hip replacement lawsuits in Iowa and across the country.
If you or a loved one received a hip replacement and suffered complications, call Attorney Group for Iowa. In a free consultation, we can answer your questions, and if you have a case, we can connect you with an affiliated hip implant lawsuit attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Recalled Hip Replacements
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers have recalled hip replacement devices for a variety of reasons. The recalled hip replacement devices include:
- DePuy ASR TM XL Acetabular System – August 24, 2010 – Revision rate of 13 percent within five years
- Smith & Nephew R3 Metal Liners of the R3 Acetabular System – June 1, 2012 – Higher than expected number of revision surgeries
- Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II – June 2012 – Fretting and corrosion at the modular-neck junction which could cause tissue damage
In addition to these recalls, the FDA reports adverse reactions in patients for hip replacement systems sold by the following manufacturers as well:
- Zimmer
- Wright Medical Technology
Some of the hip replacement complications reported by patients and doctors in Iowa and other states included:
- Damage to the bone and tissue surrounding the hip joint
- Loose implants
- Loss of mobility
- Severe inflammation
- Pseudotumors
- Infection
In addition, friction between the metal ball and metal joint of metal on metal hip implants can lead to metal fragments being released into the joint. Some of these fragments can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to other organs and a condition known as metallosis, a form of metal poisoning.
An Iowa woman was one of the patients who reported adverse reactions after her recalled DePuy hip replacement device reportedly failed not long after surgery. She was required to undergo revision surgery, which is often more painful and complicated than the initial surgery due to removal of bone during the procedure. She now suffers from chronic pain, bone loss and other serious medical problems.
Surgeons often inform patients of the type of device implanted at the initial surgery. However, patients may not recall or have the documentation they were given regarding their hip implant. Therefore, any patient who has undergone hip replacement surgery and is unaware of the brand or type of device implanted should contact their orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon may also have information on whether the device was a recalled hip replacement.
In many cases, doctors claim the risks of the recalled hip replacement devices were concealed from them. They claim they were encouraged to use the metal-on-metal versions in younger, more active patients, despite the fact that manufacturers were aware of problems that could occur with the implantation of these devices in young people.
Do You Have Questions About Recalled Hip Replacements?
If you or a loved one has suffered from complications due to a recalled hip replacement device, or if a loved one has died after hip replacement surgery, you may be eligible for a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Contact Attorney Group for Iowa for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more.
