Hip replacement procedures have been refined over the past six decades.  As medical technology has advanced, artificial hip manufacturers have developed new materials, designs, and techniques that have reduced recovery time and have allowed increased levels of activity after surgery.

Some hip implants, however, are prone to premature failure.  When a hip implant fails to work properly, it can lead to the patient experiencing pain, further disability, and need for more surgery.

The lawyers at Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. believe that one such defective hip implant design prone to premature failure is the metal-on-metal hip prosthesis introduced by many different manufacturers in the early 2000’s.  The manufacturers said that metal-on-metal hip implants would last much longer than traditional implants, and would allow patients to be far more active with fewer restrictions.

Unfortunately, for many patients, just the opposite has been true.  Heavy metals debris from the metal-on-metal hip implants has destroyed surrounding tissue causing significant pain and disability. This breakdown of tissue often requires the patient to undergo additional surgeries. 

Traditional artificial hips used a metal “ball” and a very sophisticated plastic “socket”.  A metal-on-metal implant consists of a metal “ball” that rotates freely in a metal “socket.”  The metal components are made of cobalt-chromium alloy—a heavy metal which is toxic if it gets into the surrounding tissue. This is the major problem with metal-on-metal hip implants.  When the metal components rub together, tiny particles of cobalt-chromium alloy are scraped off.  These particles build up in the body and cause a condition known as osteolysis, which further weakens the surrounding bone, muscles, and tissues.  The metal can also get into the bloodstream and can cause a host of illnesses.

Two manufacturers have already recalled their metal-on-metal hips.  In August 2010, Johnson & Johnson recalled two of the hip implants manufactured by its subsidiary DePuy Orthopedics--the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System.  In June 2012, Smith & Nephew recalled the R3 metal cup liner component of its R3 Acetabular System, for more information about this recall please click here.