Compensation for Maryland Hip Replacement Recipients
Like any major surgery, deciding to have hip replacement surgery is a big decision. When successful, hip replacement surgery can eliminate the chronic, excruciating pain that patients with osteoarthritis often experience daily. This means that they can continue doing active things, such as walking, playing tennis, swimming, or riding a bike. However, if there are complications with the procedure, it can cause a range of serious side effects, including severe pain, infections, and metallosis. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you seek justice for your pain and suffering.
Metal-on-metal hip implant systems have replaced the ceramic and plastic models as they are thought to be more durable. However, recent studies have shown that the metal devices tend to deteriorate faster, which can cause them to have higher failure rates than other implants. Additionally, they can expose patients to toxic levels of cobalt, chromium, and other metals. The following are examples of side effects that patients may experience from metal-on-metal hip replacements:
- Bone loss
- Infection
- Severe pain when walking, standing, or carrying heavy objects
- Inflammation
- Dislocation or loosening of the implant
- Metallosis, which occurs when metal flakes are released into the bloodstream, causing metal toxicity and other harmful side effects
- Fractured hip bone
- Rash caused by necrosis of the surrounding tissue
- Pseudotumors
- Fractured hip bone
- One leg shorter than the other
Smith & Nephew Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System
The Smith & Nephew Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) System was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006. It is a metal-on-metal hip replacement system that consists of a femoral resurfacing component, which is attached to the top of the thigh bone, and an acetabular component, which replaces the damaged surface of the hip socket. Unfortunately, the product was not particularly effective, and it caused a range of harmful side effects with patients. The product was recalled in 2015.
The Smith & Nephew R3 total hip replacement system is different from the BHR system in that it uses a femoral component with a stem that is implanted into the bone. In 2012, Smith & Nephew issued a recall of the metal liner that is placed between the femoral head and cup due to its high failure rate and the need for revision surgery in hundreds of patients. They sent out a precautionary alert to the doctors who had prescribed the system.
The BHR and R3 systems both have a metal-on-metal design, which is one of the issues that led to the recall. When the metal surfaces of each component rub together, the metal begins to erode, causing chemicals like cobalt and chromium to be released into the bloodstream. This can cause a condition known as metallosis, which has several side effects that include the following:
- Severe pain in the hip and leg
- Reduced mobility in the hip
- Tissue and bone damage
- Pseudotumors
DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System
The Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System implants a metal head with a polyethylene liner on the femur, which sits inside the metal cup. This is another example of a metal-on-metal hip implant that was recalled due to serious side effects from the metal parts rubbing against each other and releasing toxic metal flakes into the bloodstream and tissue. After patients experienced many of the same side effects as the Smith & Nephew BHR system, including pain, infections, tissue damage, bone fractures, and dislocations of the device, the company stopped manufacturing the device in 2013. The New York Times published an article, calling the metal-on-metal hip replacement implants one of the biggest device-related failures in decades.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Complications Associated with Hip Implants
If you or a loved one had hip replacement surgery and experienced serious side effects requiring corrective surgery, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. If the healthcare professional responsible for your surgery was negligent in any way, our skilled malpractice lawyers will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, and any pain and suffering you may have endured. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
