The FDA has ordered a review of all metal-on-metal hip implants due to mounting patient complaints. The DePuy Orthopaedics ASR XL Acetabular System and the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System were recalled in August 2010. Recently, the Smith & Nephew R3 Acetabular System was recalled in June 2012 and the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems were recalled in July 2012.
The R3 Acetabular System hip device was designed to accommodate several different bearing surfaces such as plastic on metal, ceramic on ceramic, and metal on metal (“MoM”) and can be used with different combinations of femoral stem components to form a total hip replacement. The artificial hip implants that fall into this MoM group are all composed of a metal-containing hip socket and a metal-containing ball that fits into that socket and caps the end of the patient’s thigh bone. When an R3 metal liner is used in combination with a metal femoral head, then the resulting implant combination is a MoM hip replacement system. The recalled R3 Acetabular System consists of two components: the R3 acetabular cup and the R3 metal liners made of cobalt-chromium that fit within the acetabular cup. The R3 Acetabluar System used with a metal liner has been associated with causing injuries such as infections, fractures, and dislocations.
The recalled Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems can be used in conjunction with either metal or ceramic hip implants, but the component itself is a metal-on-metal modular junction. The metal-on-metal modular junction can fret or corrode, which may cause toxic metal debris to loosen and enter the bloodstream. This can result in pain, inflammation, swelling, tissue damage, necrosis, osteolytes, and even metallosis.
Suthers & Harper is presently representing numerous individuals in pending lawsuits against DePuy Orthopaedics, and is investigating potential cases against Smith & Nephew and Stryker. If you or a loved one believe you have suffered serious injuries, as a result of one of these hip implant devices, contact the experienced litigation attorneys at Suthers & Harper.