Metal Related Complications of Hip Arthroplasties

DEFECTIVE HIP IMPLANTS
A recent article by Drs. Keith and Thomas Fehring recounts the resurgence of Metal on Metal joint arthroplasties in the early 2000s.  The authors describe complications that have been experienced by recipients of those devices resulting from products of metal wear and corrosion (i.e., Aseptic lymphocytic-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion/adverse local tissue reactions (or ALVAL/ALTR)) and propose an algorithm for diagnosing those complications.  Unfortunately, the outcomes of revision surgery for Total Hip Arthroplasty resulting from metal related complications remain suboptimal. According to the authors, these individuals often experience instability and aseptic loosening of their replacement acetabular component due to soft tissue and bone destruction.  They also experience high rates of infection.See Fehring, K.A.  et al. Modes Of Failure In Metal-On-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty, Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 46, 185-92  (2015).

Garson Johnson LLC is partnering with Weisman, Kennedy and Berris in hip implant litigation and class actions. Weisman, Kennedy and Berris is currently serving on the leadership of national litigation involving DePuy’s ASR and Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABGII devices.  The firm has extensive experience in handling lawsuits against orthopedic device manufacturers and has been extremely successful in obtaining just compensation for clients from across the country for pain, suffering and lost wages resulting from failed implants.  Currently, the Garson Johnson and Weisman Kennedy are investigating claims of individuals who experienced complications from the recalled Zimmer Persona knee prosthesis.  If you or someone you know has experienced an orthopedic device failure, contact Attorney Jeff Johnson at (216) 696-9330.