Hip replacement procedures are common, but the wrong implant can cause significant complications. Recent medical reports confirm that metal hip devices fail at an alarming rate and carry serious health risks not seen with other implants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned patients about metal hip side effects including metal debris, tissue damage, metal ion toxicity, implant loosening, device failure, and potential revision surgery.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
Hip replacement surgery removes damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and replaces them with artificial components. Artificial hips can consist of plastic, ceramic, metal, or some combination of these materials. Metal-on-metal hip replacements are those that replace both the ball and socket of the hip joint with metal parts.
Metal devices can be used in two different types of hip replacement procedures. In a hip resurfacing procedure, the surface of the femoral head and any damaged bone or cartilage in the socket are trimmed and reinforced with a metal cap and shell. In a total hip replacement, the ball and socket are entirely replaced with metal parts: a metal stem inserted into the femur, a metal ball that attaches to the stem to replace the femoral head, and a metal cup to form the socket of the hip bone.
Recently, manufacturers have marketed metal-on-metal devices as more durable and longer lasting than plastic or ceramic implants, and especially suitable for younger patients seeking to maintain their physical activities.
Metal Hip Side Effects
Unique health risks arise, however, when the metal ball and socket rub against each other during movement. This friction causes tiny metal particles to wear off into the area surrounding the implant.
One major consequence of metal debris is tissue damage, sometimes referred to as adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR) or adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD). Damaged tissue can lead to pain and cause the hip replacement to fail. More severe cases can also result in tissue necrosis, which causes blackening and death of the surrounding tissue that is irreversible and often requires immediate surgical intervention.
Another consequence of metal debris is metal toxicity. This occurs when metal ions such as cobalt and chromium enter the patient’s bloodstream. In addition to soft tissue damage, high levels of metal ions in the blood raise concerns about changes in immune function, liver damage, kidney damage, lymphoma, leukemia, genetic changes, and possible carcinogenic effects.
Hip Replacement Lawsuits Now Pending
Personal injury litigation over metal hip implants is ongoing nationwide. Evidence uncovered in metal hip lawsuits suggests the manufacturers of these devices were aware of significant safety risks but continued to market their products for years as safe and effective for patients. More information about the hip replacement lawsuits is available on this website. If you would like to consult an experienced metal hip attorney about a potential claim, you can reach our lawyers at (866) 808-2424 or send a message using our brief online form at any time.