There is an increasing risk for patients who have been fitted with a metal-on-metal hip implant, with recent orthopedic studies finding that 1 to 3 percent of patients need additional surgery to help with the pain and severe disability they feel after their metal-on-metal hip is implanted. It has gotten so bad that the Mayo Clinic has reported they have reduced the amount of metal-on-metal hip implants they use by as much as 80 percent from last year. Although none of the experts can seem to agree as to what the cause is for the defect, with many blaming design factors, metal and plastic combinations, and even patient immune systems, it is a reason for concern according to the Food and Drug Administration.
If you or somebody you love has had a metal-on-metal hip implant, then you should have them check their model to make sure it’s not one of these three metal-on-metal hip implants that have been recalled.
Smith & Nephew R3 Metal Liners of the R3 Acetabular System
This is the most recent metal-on-metal hip implant recall, and one of the largest. In June of 2012, Smith & Nephew Orthopedics got the ball rolling on a country-wide recall of the metal liners on their R3 acetabular system. The reason they gave for the recall was a higher than usual amount of revision surgeries required for patients after installation. When there are so many additional surgeries required, it means that a significant number of patients were having serious complications with the implant.
DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System
DePuy Orthopedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest manufacturer of all-metal devices, issued a recall of their ASR TM total hip system. The reason behind the recall was a study that found that there was a 13 percent revision rate within 5 years. The recall was a black eye for Johnson & Johnson, and received coverage in most of the major media outlets that were more than eager to point out that the company was in ownership of DePuy.
Zimmer Durom Acetabular Component
Some recalls are done because of a faulty piece of equipment or a flaw in the manufacturing, but some are due to other reasons entirely. In 2008, Zimmer Durom had to issue a recall on their product because the instructions they provided for surgical use were found to be totally inadequate. When a company can’t get the instructions right, do you really want a piece of their equipment inside your body?
Product recalls are usually the sign of a company taking responsibility for a design flaw or a dangerous product that they have sold to consumers. It’s a good thing to get these dangerous products off of store shelves before an innocent consumer is hurt. But what do you do when the product that is being recalled is installed inside your body? That’s the question facing all the people who have metal-on-metal hip implants installed and see their brand come up on a product recall.
If you have suffered pain and injury because of a faulty metal-on-metal hip implant, then you may be able to receive a form of financial compensation from the manufacturer. Speak with your doctor and contact an attorney so that you can be properly informed of all of your options. Philip DeBerard is a defective metal-on-metal joint replacement and product liability lawyer. For more information about defective medical devices and recalls, visit the website at