Due to a failed metal-on-metal hip replacement,
another lawsuit has been pursued against a manufacturer. Last December 16, 2011, complainants filed a lawsuit with the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) consolidating cases against Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
The perils of metal-on-metal hip surgeries was featured earlier on theNew York Times. The article was entitled Remedy Is Elusive as Metallic Hips Fail at Fast Rate. It discusses about how the surgery leaves metal debris that harms the tissues in the hip region.
Those who received hip replacements may suffer from implant failure, metallosis, tissue damage, bone loss and other hip replacement problems.
According to a medical professional who commented on the Times, As surgeons here sliced through tissue surrounding a failed artificial hip in a 53-year-old man, they discovered what looked like a biological dead zone. There were matted strands of tissue stained gray and black; a large strip of muscle near the hip no longer contracted.
Hip Replacement Issues to be Addressed by Depuy
Johnson & Johnson have been charged with compensatory claims by their patrons, legal specialists say. They were the suffering victims of DePuy product failures and defects, among them displacements, fractures and loosening. The signs of artificial hip device defect include:
Pain when rising from a seated position
Pain on the thigh or groin area
Pain bearing weight
Pain on the hip area
Pain while walking
Swelling
In worse cases, complete failure of hip devices happen, resulting in more serious health problems. This occur when:
the unit is dislocated and misaligned;
the bone around the implant is fractured; and
the device is not attached to the bone correctly.
Moreover, defective hip devices may deposit tiny pieces of toxic metal into the patients bloodstream. The body tissues may possibly develop pseudotumors.
A Study Says Hip Replacement Can be Delayed by Exercise.
In April 2011, a study revealed that exercise can delay and prevent hip replacement surgeries. This study was funded by the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation, the Norwegian Rheumatism Association, and the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority.
"If you exercise early" in the course of the disease, "maybe you can prevent surgery long-term, stated researcher Dr. Linda Fernandes, a physiotherapist at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo.
Those who encounter any doubts and queries about their hip replacement surgery should see a physician as soon as possible.
As regard a related case with the earlier stated Wright Medical Technology, a number of DePuy lawsuit has been filed by patients who claimed to be victims of DePuys metal-on-metal hip device. The affected patients of DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. should seek legal advice regarding potential compensation from the company.
