Stern Law Taking R3 Hip Liner Cases
If you had a hip replacement surgery using a metal implant liner and developed a subsequent injury, you might be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer. Contact Stern Law, PLLC, today to speak with one of our experienced product attorneys about your legal options.
Hip Surgery and Implants
The hip joint is composed of a ball-and-socket system, in which the ball is located on the top of the femur bone, and the socket is located in the pelvic bone. Tissue and cartilage cushion the joint and create ease of movement, but these can wear down over time. Arthritis and degenerative conditions generally contribute to a faster decline in the health of a person’s hip joint.
When people start experiencing pain and immobility in their hips, they often decide to consider surgical options. Some will opt for a hip resurfacing procedure, and some will require total hip arthroplasty, or a full hip replacement. The amount of damage to the hip will determine how much the surgeon needs to repair or replace.
What is the R3 Hip Liner?
The R3 liner is part of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System, manufactured by Smith & Nephew, Inc. It contains two parts: a metal cup to fit inside the hip socket and a metal cap to fit over the femoral ball.
In 2007, Smith & Nephew expanded its Birmingham System to include a second kind of cup that itself consisted of two separate parts: a metal shell and a metal liner. Smith & Nephew called the new cup the R3 Metal on Metal Cup. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the R3 shell and liner for use exclusively in the Birmingham System.
Upon approval, however, Smith & Nephew began marketing the R3 liner as if it were an interchangeable device that could be used in the corporation’s other hip systems, including its R3 total hip replacement system. When doctors combined the metal R3 liner with the metal R3 total hip replacement system, patients were exposed to additional risks not included in the product label.
R3 Hip Liner Injuries
Studies have shown that, as all the metal components of a hip replacement implant rub together and wear down, they can release metal ions into the body. These deposits of metal can build up and lead to a dangerous condition known as metallosis. The symptoms of this condition commonly include:
- Severe pain when moving and when at rest
- Recurrent infection
- Ongoing postoperative inflammation and swelling
- Fluid buildup around the site of implantation
- Bone deterioration
- Metal toxicity or chromium poisoning
- Failure or dislocation of the hip implant
- Feelings of confusion or dizziness
- Headaches
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Skin rashes
- Visual or hearing disturbances
- Hypothyroidism
Treatment for metallosis will almost always involve surgery, and the condition can sometimes be fatal.
In June 2012, Smith & Nephew voluntarily pulled its R3 hip liner from the market. It did so explaining the liner was not performing as well as expected and seemed to result in a higher rate of revision surgeries, as compared to other hip implant devices.
Can Stern Law Help Me?
If you have been injured by a medical device, like the R3 hip liner, you need the most experienced legal representation. With more than 30 years in the field of drug product litigation, the attorneys at Stern Law, PLLC, have the knowledge and skills to achieve the best resolution possible.
When our clients first contact us, they often do not know where to start, and they worry that hiring a lawyer will cost them a lot of time and money. We immediately put those fears to rest by explaining that we undertake investigation of their claims ourselves, and that we ask for absolutely no money up front. Our team of lawyers and staff will work quickly to give you the answers you need and make sure your legal rights are protected.
In hiring Stern Law, you can feel confident your product liability case is in good hands. We will work to obtain adequate compensation for your injuries so you can begin rebuilding your life. While we cannot make guarantees as to any particular outcome or settlement amount, we can guarantee your claim will receive the attention it deserves. We will seek to secure the following types of damages for your medical device claim:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Past lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Compensation for past and future mental and physical pain and suffering
- Punitive damages, if appropriate
Contact Stern Law, PLLC
If you or a loved one had a metal-on-metal hip implant and developed a related injury, contact Stern Law, PLLC today. You can schedule a free confidential consultation with an experienced medical device attorney at our firm by calling (844) 808-7529.
