Wright Conserve Hip Replacement Systems: What You Need to Know
A Tennessee-based company, Wright Orthopedics generates over half of their revenue from knee and hip replacement devices. While their hip replacement devices may include ceramic, plastic, or metal components, several metal-on-metal hip replacement devices have adversely impacted thousands of individuals post-surgery. The metal-on-metal hip replacement devices manufactured by Wright include: the Conserve Femoral Surface Replacement, the Conserve Total Hip System, the Conserve Total A-Class Advanced Metal, and the Converse Plus Total Resurfacing Hip System. Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys are leaving nothing to chance and looking into cases that involve any of these aforementioned devices.
In recent years, the FDA has issued stern safety warnings to medical professionals on metal-on-metal hip replacement devices and, in 2012, commissioned a panel to assess the risks and benefits of such devices. Leading medical experts provided testimony on the unreasonably high risk posed by these hip replacement implants. As a result, the FDA recalled more than fifteen metal-on-metal hip replacement devices. Two manufacturers, DePuy and Stryker, recalled their products of their own volition.
Three central issues were found to be common to all metal-on-metal hip replacement devices: risks of fretting, where metal parts grind and corrode their integrity, risk of corrosion, and heightened risk for hip revision surgery; the presence of these health risks greatly assisting Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys in their cases. DePuy’s hip replacement devices resulted in the highest number of hip revision surgeries while Wright resulted in the second highest. However, unlike DePuy, Wright Orthopedics did not issue safety protocols for orthopedic professionals, nor did it voluntary recall any of its products. Instead, Wright Orthopedic was implicated in unethical business practices that entailed providing incentives to physicians that promote and encourage Wright hip replacement devices.
Difficulties with Wright Orthopedic’s hip replacement devices were confirmed through international medical professional communities. The National Joint Registry for England and Wales found high instances of infection and the second highest rate of hip revision surgery among individuals with Wright hip replacement devices. Many of these hip revision surgeries were required five years after surgery. To provide perspective, a hip replacement device should last at least fifteen years. Similarly, Health Canada has cautioned physicians against advocating the highly scrutinized metal-on-metal hip replacement devices. It is for these reasons and Wright Orthopedic’s lack of accountability to individuals suffering from faulty devices that lawsuits began to be filed by Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys, including those affiliated with Attorney Group for Louisiana.
Are Wright Hip Replacement Devices Life-Threatening?
Numerous research studies have demonstrated that metal-on-metal hip replacement devices pose serious risks. Each Wright Conserve Hip Replacement device consists of metal components that allow for movement within a metal socket, thus, increasing risk of fretting and corrosion. Metal-on-metal hip replacement devices are generally much more prone to failure, frequently within six months of implantation or up to nine or ten years, and risk damaging the entire hip and leg area. Individuals who have experienced severe complications from Wright Conserve Hip Replacement devices have frequently reported the following side effects, among others:
Blood clots- Bone fractures
- Liver, kidney, thyroid malfunction
- Fatigue
- Metal toxicity
- Neurological side effects
- Tissue and/or bone necrosis
- Rashes and swelling
- Muscle atrophy
- Limited mobility
- Infections
- Device loosening and loss of parts within body
While these are among the most commonly reported side effects, they are not the only ones and many complications are fatal.
Louisiana Wright Conserve Hip Replacement Attorneys
Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel of Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate their lawsuits into a single lawsuit that can be addressed in federal court. Currently, Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys are seeking compensation for alleged medical expenses, lost wages, lost income, emotional distress, revision surgeries, and more on behalf of individuals who have experienced complications from Wright Conserve hip replacement devices. If you or someone you know has received a Wright Conserve hip replacement device that includes metal components, you may be eligible to be included in the lawsuit and eligible to receive compensation for damages. Each case is unique and certain statutes of limitation may apply, limiting the capacity to sue and receive compensation for certain cases. Attorney Group for Louisiana is handling such cases for the state of Louisiana. Our affiliated Louisiana Wright Conserve hip replacement attorneys can guide individuals through complex litigation, so contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today to schedule a free, confidential, and thorough review of your case.
