Review Finds No Reason to Continue Use of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
The FDA has found there are few reasons to continue the use of metal-on-metal hip implants due to the medical complaints of thousands of patients.
July 26, 2012
After several years of patient complaints and product recalls, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel of health experts found that there is little reason to continue to use metal-on-metal hip implants in hip replacement patients.Over the last decade, orthopedists have increasingly used metal-on-metal hip implants after early studies found the devices were less susceptible to wear than their plastic or ceramic counterparts. However, more recent studies and thousands of patient complaints have proved the devices actually have a higher rate of wear, leading to discomfort, severe pain and even serious conditions like cancer.
Metal-on-metal hip implants wear down over time due to friction between the metal joint components. The friction causes bits of metal to rub off the device and lodge into patients' flesh or enter their bloodstreams, causing high metal levels in their blood. High levels of metal can lead to metal poisoning and problems with the brain, heart, liver, kidney and spleen. The bits of metal may also cause pain and swelling in the joint area.
The use of metal-on-metal devices decreased 40 percent between 2008 and 2010, accounting for only 27 percent of the market in 2010. The FDA has received 17,000 reports of health problems connected to the devices, and some companies have recalled their metal-on-metal devices after facing thousands of lawsuits.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Liability
People injured by metal-on-metal hip implants may pursue compensation for their injuries. Companies that design and manufacture defective products may be held responsible if their products injure consumers, including hip implant patients.
For example, patients affected by the DePuy ASR hip implant recalls may be able to recover damages beyond the cost of a second surgery, including lost wages and insurance copayments or coinsurance.
The FDA's recent findings should help put an end to the manufacture and sale of dangerous metal-on-metal hip implants. If you or a loved one has been injured by a metal-on-metal implant or any other defective medical device, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options.
Article provided by Miller Law Inc.
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