The hip is a ball and socket joint that connects the leg to the torso and allows people to have a range of motion for sitting, standing, walking, etc. Over time the hip joint can wear out, making mobility difficult and even painful. If the damage is severe enough, the hip joint may require a replacement in order to preserve a person’s quality of life and reduce pain. A safe and successful hip replacement surgery puts a new, artificial ball and socket joint in place of the patient’s own joint. However, when a defective product is put in place, serious, sometimes life threatening complications can arise. This is the case with a number of metal hip replacements today prompting victims to seek legal advice from an accident attorney in the Hudson Valley.
Metal hip replacements can cause metal poisoning
Hip implants are usually composed of an artificial ball attached to the top of the leg which fits into a cup attached to the hip. These parts can be made of a few different kinds of material, including plastic, ceramic, and metal. The metal hip implants were designed to be stronger and more durable than those made with ceramic or plastic, and are often constructed using chromium, cobalt, nickel, and titanium. By design, all hip implants involve friction as the ball moves around inside of the cup socket. The problem with metal products is that the constant friction can produce metallic shavings which are then released into the body.
Metal hip complications can be painful and costly
As metal shavings build up in the body they can start to poison the blood and cause surrounding tissue and bone in the hip to die. Patients end up suffering severe pain and swelling, along with difficulty standing and walking. Sometimes the implant will fail completely before it can be replaced. In most cases such problems will require revision surgery or surgeries to correct the problem, and some of the damage may be irreparable. The additional correction treatment causes the medical expenses to stack up, which can make the defective hip not just a health concern, but a financial one as well. Many people place the blame with the manufacturing companies.
Metal hip manufacturers may be liable for the damage
Some of the manufacturers of these metal hip products include DePuy, Stryker, and Biomet. Many manufacturers have withdrawn their products from the market after these complications, but not before serious harm was caused to patients around the world. Some of the patients have chosen to pursue lawsuits against these manufacturers because they claim that the products were defectively designed and manufactured, and because they came with inadequate warnings about the possible dangers of using them. The complications and additional treatments that come with a defective metal hip implant can be very costly and painful, and a successful lawsuit would help victims cover the expenses and remove financial stress.
