There are numerous issues a person can experience with their hips as they get older. At some point, their physician may recommend replacing their problem hip with a prosthetic implant. However, these devices may not always be as safe as patients expect. Our Kansas City defective medical device attorneys explain why.
Common Problems With Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
Some brands use metal-on-metal prosthetics. When patients have these, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that patients undergo regular monitoring to ensure there’s nothing wrong with the implant. However, there are numerous persistent issues with metal-on-metal hip joint prosthetics including, but not limited to:
- Metal fretting
- Corrosion
- Pain
- Immobility
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Metallosis (the build-up and shedding of metal debris)
- Tissue damage
Additionally, some individuals may experience adverse reactions should their body not accept the material. For instance, if a particular type of metal causes allergic reactions, the patient may sustain significant harm. A report from the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Panel made it clear that there are few reasons for the continued use of metal-on-metal hip implants due to the potential for long-term damage to patients.
If you or someone you love has a metal-on-metal hip implant, make sure to see your health care professional often, especially if any of the above symptoms are present. The earlier a problem is detected, the more quickly you can be treated to have the implant removed or replaced.
Recalls of Defective Hip Implants
Metal-on-metal hip replacement devices have been closely scrutinized and, in some cases, recalled, because of defects. This is often due to negligence on the part of manufacturers. If they bypassed certain FDA regulations during a product review and approval process and you received a faulty product and suffered as a result, you have grounds to take legal action.
Manufacturers have a duty of care to resolve known defects before their products go on the market. If you or someone you know was implanted with a defective hip replacement system, or you’re scheduled to undergo a revision surgery of a defective one, you may be entitled to compensation.