MoM Hip Implants

Image Courtesy of NIH

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic hip joint pain.  Whether from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or an injury, many of these individuals do not respond well to medication and therapy.  In order to resume a more normal life and level of activity, many of them turn to hip replacement.

Metal on metal hip implants were first hailed as huge progress for those in need of surgery.  Manufacturers claimed that metal on metal hip implants were longer-lasting and could allow patients to have more active lifestyles.  Unfortunately, the reality of metal on metal hip implants turned out to be very different.

In fact, these devices have turned out to be no superior to the older, ceramic devices, and actually cause more complications.  One of the most serious complications that has resulted from metal on metal hip implants is that the metal ions can flake off from the implant itself and then enter the bloodstream and the surrounding tissue and bone.  This metal toxicity is called metallosis, and is a very serious condition.  In the case of metal on metal hip implants, chromium and cobalt ions are released into the body.  Only a blood test from your doctor can definitely diagnose this condition.

In the most serious cases, metallosis can lead to cancer.  Other symptoms may include infection, nerve damage, skin rashes, and kidney disease.  Other patients also suffer from decreased mobility, loosening of the device, and inflammation and pain.

There are several manufacturers of metal on metal hip implants, each claiming its product to be long-lasting and complication-free.  Only after they were forced to confront the reality of thousands of patients and surgeons complaining of serious complications did many of these device manufacturers begin recalling their devices.  Manufacturers include:

  • Stryker
  • DePuy
  • Zimmer
  • Smith & Nephew
  • Biomet
  • Wright Medical Technologies

We hope you will browse the content available to you on our website, and contact us with any questions you may have about your particular case.  Thousands of patients have joined litigation to hold these device manufacturers responsible for their defective products.  You may be eligible to join one of these lawsuits.  Contact us today for a free case review.

Blog Posts

Consumer Reports Calls for Hip Manufacturers to Provide Warranties

In the past years, there has been a huge increase in the number of young people getting hip and knee replacements.  In the past, these devices were reserved for the elderly, but as more and more people live and want to maintain active lifestyles, these implants are becoming an option for the young. In fact,…

Posted in  Overview, MoM Hip Implants

Federal Trial Against Johnson & Johnson Delayed

The first federal trial against Johnson and Johnson for its ASR hip implant was supposed to start on September 14, but U.S. District Judge David Katz has signed an order postponing it because of problems scheduling expert witnesses on both sides.  Additionally, there have been problems with general pre-trial discovery because of the fact that…

Posted in DePuy, MoM Hip Implants

DePuy Considers Massive Settlement for Hip Implants

Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy subsidiary is facing massive liability over its metal on metal hip implants, in particular the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) implants.  In March 2013, a jury granted plaintiff Loren “Bill” Kransky $8.3 million in compensatory damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering.  The jury did not impose punitive damages. Now DePuy…

Posted in DePuy, MoM Hip Implants