Archive for the ‘General Orthopaedic Information’ Category

Metal on Metal Implants – Important Risk Information

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Metal on metal hip implants account for approximately one-third of the 250,000 hip implants done in the United States annually.  However there is mounting evidence that these implants may be defective, and that these defects may cause a variety of serious problems in patients.  Data from joint registries confirms that metal on metal implants are more likely to fail and require a revision surgery than any other bearing interface.

When a metal on metal hip implant is used in a total hip arthroplasty or a hip resurfacing surgery, the acetabular insert, which was typically made with a type of plastic known as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, is instead made out of cobalt chromium, and articulates against a metal femoral head, which is also made of cobalt chromium.

The problem with this type of interface is multi-factorial.  When hip or knee implant components move against each other, the friction causes wear.  This happens with any medical device implant, just as it occurs with your god given joints.  The body attempts to rid itself of this particulate debris by carrying the particles away in the lymphatic system.  However, the wear particles that are produced from a metal on metal implant may be detrimental to patients’ health in a number of ways.   (more…)

Recent Hip, Knee, and Replacement Joint News

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

4/13/2009

Defective joint and product liability lawyers, Keefe Bartels & Clark have begun investigation of Wright Medical Technology Total Hip Implants

The defective joint implant attorneys at Keefe Bartels & Clark have begun investigating reports regarding total hip implants manufactured by Wright Medical Technology, Inc., a Tennessee Corporation. Wright manufactures and distributes orthopaedic implants including implants for the hips and knees. The FDA’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database (MAUDE) indicates several reports regarding the failure of Wright Total Hip Systems that use the Conserve product line as well as the Profemur Product lines.

The defective product attorneys at Keefe Bartels & Clark are currently screening patients who had the Conserve Plus Cup and the Profemur Stem and/or Neck implants utilized in their total hip replacement and are experiencing problems or have experienced a device failure. In some cases, these components fracture, resulting in a “catastrophic” failure of the hip implant device. Other components may not promote, and may in fact, retard, bony ingrowth, resulting in the devices loosening and requiring additional surgery to repair or replace the failed component. These implants may have been designed or manufactured in a defective manner. If you believe you may have one of these hip implant components, and are suffering from pain, swelling, or limitation on your range of motion, or if you have had to have the hip implant revised, please contact the defective hip implant lawyers at Keefe Bartels & Clark immediately.

1/22/2009

New Jersey Court Announces Application for Mass Tort Designation of Litigation involving Stryker Trident Hip Implants and assignment for centralized management in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

Motion made for Mass Tort designation for Stryker Trident Hip System

Pursuant to New Jersey Court Rule 4:38A and the Revised Mass Tort Guidelines, application has been made to the New Jersey Supreme Court requesting that the claims made against Stryker Corp., and its subsidiary Howmedica Osteonics Corp., regarding the Stryker Trident Hip Implant System be designated a Mass Tort and sent to Judge Higbee in Atlantic County New Jersey for centralized management.

The Stryker Trident Hip Implant is a ceramic implant that has been the subject of numerous claims involving the hip implant making squeaking noises. This sound is caused by the high levels of friction at the acetabular interface of the implant. This condition can be an indicator of more serious problems with the implant in the future, and the hip implant attorneys at Keefe Bartels & Clark allege that these devices suffer from either a manufacturing or design defect which is resulting in the squeaking hip noise reported by some patients. If you or a loved one has a hip implant that is squeaking, please contact our office immediately.

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