Zimmer Durom Cup Lawyers
Warning: The Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Replacement Device Can Cause Serious Complications
Each year, approximately 270,000 people in the U.S. undergo hip replacement surgery, with more than 20% of them performed using what is known as “metal-on-metal” hip implants. A metal-on-metal hip implant is a device that contains a metal ball and socket which are typically made of chromium or cobalt. For many years before the use of metal-on-metal implants, earlier devices were made from other materials such as polyethylene (plastic) or ceramic. However, over last ten years, many orthopedic surgeons have favored implants made with metal stems and sockets, as they appeared to be more resistant to dislocation and material wear and tear. Hip replacement devices that showed promise for people with serious hip problem is the metal-on-metal Zimmer Durom® Acetabular Component, (or “Zimmer Durom Cup”) manufactured by Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (“Zimmer”).
Since the release of the Zimmer’s Durom Cup in 2003, it has unfortunately received quite a bit of public scrutiny, due to serious complications associated with its use, such as:
- Chronic hip, groin or back pain
- Painful walking or moving
- Swelling in the hip/groin area
- Dislocation or loosening of the implant device
- A clicking or crunching noise originating from the implant device
- Decreased physical ability
- Metal poisoning
- Subsequent hip implant revision surgeries
- Cancer from toxic metal exposure
FDA Warnings about the Zimmer Durom Cup
On July 22, 2008, Zimmer voluntarily recalled its Durom Cup hip replacement device due to inadequate use/surgical instructions. Moreover, according to a Bloomberg article published in July 2012, the FDA reported approximately 16,800 adverse events, such as those listed above, related to metal-on-metal hip implants (including the Zimmer Durom Cup) in the United States between 2000 and 2011. In addition, the FDA issued a statement entitled “Concerns about Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Systems”, indicating that there may be a risk of metal poisoning associated with having a metal-on-metal implant devices. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration met with orthopedic specialists due to the growing body of evidence across the globe establishing that metal-on-metal hip implant devices have a higher failure rate than those made of other materials, such as plastic or ceramic. The FDA indicated that it will release its recommendations shortly.
The Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Replacement Implant Device Has Been Shown to be Dangerous
According to a noted orthopedic surgeon and consultant to Zimmer, he observed an abnormally high rate of failure of those that received the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement device. As a result, he informed the American Associated of Hip and Knee Surgeons that out of 165 hip replacement surgeries using the Zimmer Durom Cup, ten required subsequent corrective revision surgeries to remove the defective device. Moreover, pursuant to a study published in The Lancet, researchers examined over 400,000 hip replacement patients who underwent device implantation surgeries between 2003 and 2011. Out of the 400,000, over 30,000 received metal-on-metal implants – which consist of ball and cup made of materials such as chromium and cobalt. When compared with those that received hip implants made of other materials, such as ceramic or plastic, the metal-on-metal devices evinced a much higher failure rate. Specifically, over six percent of these devices failed, where a much small percentage failed for non-metal-on-metal devices. Additionally, another recent study published in the British Medical Journal indicates that implant manufacturers such as Zimmer fully aware of the evidence linking metal-on-metal hip devices to serious adverse side effects. The report also provided that several thousands of people across the globe who received Zimmer Durom Cup implants and other similar devices may have been exposed to dangerous amounts of toxic metals, due to wear and tear of these products.
The Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Replacement Device in the News
The Zimmer Durom Cup has recently been under significant scrutiny due to serious complications associated with using this device. Accordingly, Zimmer has set aside over $270 million to resolve lawsuits filed by patients who required additional surgery after implantation of the device. Since the Zimmer Durom Cup’s recall, numerous lawsuits have been filed against Zimmer with many of them (over 75) consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation, or MDL, in the United States District of New Jersey, identified as In re: Zimmer Durom Hip Cup Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2158. The claims alleged in MDL No. 2158 assert that the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement device was defectively designed by Zimmer and also, was not the subject of proper public warnings about the potential adverse effects associated with the use of this device.
Our Lawyer is Ready Now to Help You
It is crucial to speak with a defective medical device attorney who is qualified to handle the various complexities and nuances associated with suing device manufacturers. Only skilled lawyers can help victims of the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement implant and other metal-on-metal devices recover monetary damages for costs due to medical treatment, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages. You certainly need an attorney on your side who has the experience necessary to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Replacement Case Evaluations
Give us a call today to see if you or a loved one may be entitled to recover monetary damages from complications caused by metal-on-metal hip replacement implant manufacturers. Call attorney Ken Stern at 1-844-808-7529, or complete an online contact form for assistance.
