Hip Implant Update: The FDA Demands Proof That Metal-On-Metal Hip Devices Are Safe And Effective

For several years as metal-on-metal devices have failed at alarming rates and a question has been repeatedly asked but not yet answered: Is there a lack of a clinical advantage with metal-on-metal bearings?

Today the New York Times reports that the question must be answered by industry or the FDA is going to require these Metal-On Metal (MoM) devices to be withdrawn from the market.

The harms associated with cobaltism and metallosis are significant. Many of the known harms associated with the following devices have resulted in many patients being seriously harmed and led thousands of lawsuits across the country:

• Depuy’s ASR device [Recalled in August of 2010-but claims are still being filed]
• Depuy’s Pinnacle Cup (metal Insert)
• Stryker Corporation’ Rejuvenate modular hip
• Zimmer Holdings, Inc.’s Durom Cup
• Wright Medical Technologies Conserve Cup
• Biomet Inc.’s M2A Magnum Hip Replacement

Some recommendations were made after two days of hearings back in June 2012 with thousands of pages of supporting documentary evidence questioning the metal on metal hip systems. The material is archived and may be found here: 2012 Meeting Materials of the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel

For more information on the FDA's most recent announcement and recommendations on January 17, 2013 review our comprehensive post: MoM Hip Implant Update: The FDA Issues New Guidelines For Patients That Have Metal-On-Metal Devices: Who Is Most At Risk?

For those metal-on-metal him implant patients that are still unrepresented we encourage them to speak to a lawyer about their legal rights and if warranted, file a claim before their statute of limitation expires.

In the estimation of Childers Schlueter and Smith, LLC the harms and value of each timely prosecuted hip implant claim will include future considerations. The average claimant of a defective MoM hip implant device will have been exposed to high levels of Chromium and Cobalt that will require years of monitoring and treatment. Questions will persist into the future: Will there be long term affects from exposure, such as impaired renal function, impaired hearing, adverse neurologic effects, unwanted conditions effecting the heart, and/or a potential impact to the thyroid gland or lymphoma? These are all questions that must be addressed and considered.

Individual considerations of particular circumstances are evaluated including the possible uncertainty of the longstanding effects of metallosis, cobalt and chromium. Each represented client has claims that are different and are evaluated individually on a case by case basis. (Ie. We are representing single individuals and not participating in a Class Action with our clients. Our experience in handling these claims show the injuries and harms are just too great to handle them in any other way)

If you have questions or just want to be more informed, call our hip implant lawyers toll free at 1-800-641-0098 or 404-419-9500. You can also find out more information by visiting our website: www.cssfirm.com The lawyers at Childers Schlueter and Smith LLC are available to answer your questions and explain your legal options.