An injured hip joint can cause serious pain and debilitation, and a hip replacement may be able to restore mobility and function. However, the components in some hip implants have been alleged to cause serious complications resulting in pain, loss of mobility, and even the need for additional surgery. The Zimmer Kinectiv hip replacement has been the subject of a recall, if that device causes similar complications, affected patients may be able to file a Mississippi Zimmer Kinectiv lawsuit and seek compensation for their damages.
If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with a Zimmer hip implant or any metal-on-metal hip replacement, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi today. We provide free, confidential, no-obligation consultations, and if you have case we can connect you with an affiliated Zimmer Kinectiv lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process. The time to pursue a claim is limited, so contact us today.
How Hip Replacement Surgery Works?
The top of the thighbone, or femur, consists of a round head or ball that fits into a corresponding socket in the pelvic bone to form the hip joint. These components are complemented by ligaments, fluids and cartilage to minimize friction between bones and prevent them from wearing away.
An artificial hip also has a ball and socket joint that is created to mimic the original. The portion of the implant that replaces the damaged thighbone is typically made of metal, and so is the socket that it fits into. The wear and tear on the prosthesis is minimized with a spacer that may be metal, plastic or ceramic.
Complications With Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants
Some patients experience delayed symptoms some months after receiving the new hip, as it begins to wear. Although manufacturers have worked to reduce the amount of deterioration a joint may sustain by using tougher metal alloys, a metal hip gradually sheds particles into the body. Just as with any foreign material introduced into the body, these have the potential to cause adverse reactions such as tissue damage and blood poisoning in some patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns.
Bone and muscle deterioration could cause problems with what remains of the femur, including the area where the prosthetic is attached, so that the device is no longer secure. The FDA also reports that the hip may not be the only place in the body where a metal-on-metal joint could cause difficulties. More studies are necessary to determine the connection between adverse tissue reactions and reported kidney or thyroid issues, mental health problems and other damage, the agency states.
Patients have also experienced a wide range of additional side effects. Patients undergoing hip replacement may also run the risk of a dislocated implant. This occurs when the ball of the implant breaks free from its socket, a condition that sometimes requires revision surgery to correct. Loosened implants are another concern, which involves a weakening of the implant components to the point where the newly implanted joint becomes unstable. Infection of the surgical site is also a potential complication for patients undergoing this procedure. Should an infection occur in the deep tissue where the prosthesis is placed, further surgery may be required.
Zimmer Kinectiv M/L Taper Recall
In addition to the potential complications that may occur from a metal-on-metal hip replacement, the FDA has also issued a Class I recall on the Zimmer M/L Taper with Kinectiv technology prosthetics. This type of recall is the most serious, indicating that there is a significant likelihood of severe adverse events that could be fatal. These medical devices left the factory with contaminants from the manufacturing process still on them, and while the FDA does not clarify the nature of the substances, the agency warns that they could cause fatal reactions.
Affected Patients May Be Eligible To File A Mississippi Zimmer Kinectiv Lawsuit
Device makers have a duty to design and produce safe products, and to warn of possible risks associated with their products. Failure to fulfill that duty can result in injuries to patients, and the device maker being held liable for those injuries.
Patients who are injured by metal-on-metal hip replacements may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from injuries. Compensation can be based on factors including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from an injury
- Loss of income or ability to work due to loss of mobility
If a loved one dies after complications from a metal-on-metal hip implant, family members may be able to pursue claims for wrongful death damages, including:
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
- Loss of financial support
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from the loss of a loved one
Affected patients and their families are encouraged to seek the advice of a Mississippi Zimmer Kinectiv lawsuit attorney to discuss their legal rights and options for compensation.
Contact Us For More Information
If you have been injured by a metal-on-metal hip replacement, or to find out more about a Mississippi Zimmer Kinectiv lawsuit, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Mississippi today.
