Wright Medical Technology

Metal on Metal Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery may be recommended when a person is suffering from pain in the hip joint caused by Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, bone tumors, or injury. The surgery entails taking out the damaged parts of the hip joint and exchange them with man-made parts. This usually relieves the pain and helps a hip joint to work better, improving movement.

For more than 20 years metal-on-metal replacement joints have been used for their durability, joint stability, and range of motion. They can be made to match the size of the original joint, to allow for natural functioning.

Hip surgery is not something to be taken lightly. There can be very serious side effects created by the use of metal on metal replacement joints. Two of these, in particular, are the Wright Conserve Hip Replacement and the Wright Profemur Hip Replacement.

There have been hundreds of reports of problems with Wright metal-on-metal replacement hips. One report out of Australia stated that the cumulative revision rate for the Wright Profemur hip was 11.2% at only three years, or more than three times the rate for comparable replacement hips.

Allegedly, the movement of the metal ball within the metal cup of the Wright replacement hip is creating excess heat and friction. This results in the release of metal particles into the joint and the surrounding tissue which causes significant pain. Not only that, but these particles can cause metal toxicity when they are released into the bloodstream. Because there is an increase in cobalt and chromium in the blood, patients have a greater risk of serious long term effects such as hypothyroidism or heart problems. The most concerning part of this is that many patients exhibit no symptoms at all–until it’s too late. It is imperative that those who have metal-on-metal hips have regular blood tests done to determine if they are at risk.

WRIGHT DEFECTIVE HIP PRODUCTS:

Wright Conserve

In addition, recipients of the Wright Medical Technology hip replacement products are reporting the following:

• Popping or crunching sounds
• bone cysts
• pseudo tumors
• metallosis & osteolysis
• high levels of metal ions, such as chromium & cobalt in the blood
• detachment, disconnection &/or loosening of the acetabular cup;
• loosening of the femoral component;
• complications requiring revision surgery;
• Hip dislocation or fractures
• Trouble in standing or walking
• Infection
• Tissue inflammation
• Severe pain

Another problem reported with the Wright Profemur Hip Replacement is the potential failure of the femoral neck in some patients. This means the implant can fracture or shatter. If that happens, it must be replaced.

Studies have shown that right around one in 12 metal-on-metal hip replacement recipients will require surgery within five years to correct problems with the new hip. There have been a large number of lawsuits filed against Wright Medical Technology claiming they produced defective metal-on-metal replacement hips. Not only that, but they then failed to notify patients of the risks and potential side effects. In addition, patients were not notified of the failure rate of these devices.

While there is no recall currently in place, in June 2012, an FDA advisory panel met to discuss the situation. They asked manufacturers to conduct long-term follow up studies of metal-on-metal replacement hips.

LAWSUITS & WHAT PLAINTIFF’S HAVE LEARNED IN DISCOVERY

The plaintiffs claim the following:
that the documents and data shows that Wright knew their product lines were failing frequently and causing serious post implant complications for many patients;

Time is limited to investigate & file a claim on your behalf, so call us today for a free case evaluation. Don’t be one of hundreds of cases in a big lawfirm where you never talk to your attorney. If you want to have your case worked up individually, by a Nurse-Attorney & want to have your attorney directly communicating with you about your lawsuit & medical care, finding experts who can help treat your problems and getting the best possible value for your case, call our firm today.