Metal on Metal Hip Replacement

Hip Replacement Devices

Most hip replacement devices are expected to last between 10 and 20 years. Some newer-generation hip replacement devices, however, have been linked to a higher failure rate in a shorter time. A number of devices have failed within five years and some within just 18 months. In most cases, the high failure rate has been blamed on metal-on-metal components, while other complaints have been attributed to fractures near the device, loosening of the device, instability due to joint dislocation, metal debris being absorbed by the patient’s tissue and unusual wear and tear. These hip replacement failures have led to thousands of patients needing hip revision surgeries (surgical replacement of the devices).    

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Failures

The FDA classifies metal-on-metal hip systems as Class III (higher risk) devices.  One of the biggest concerns about hip replacement devices revolves around metal-on-metal hip replacement systems, in which a metal ball (the femoral head), a metal femoral stem and a metal cup are used to make up the device. Metal components of the “ball-and-socket” grind together with movement. Over time, this can cause “metallosis,” where tiny bits of metal accumulate in the hip joint causing significant tissue damage.

The failure rate for metal-on-metal devices is shown to be significantly higher than the failure rate of hip implants made from other materials. The FDA has warned of risks associated with metal implants, and numerous studies have shown premature device failure.

Hip Replacement Lawsuits The majority of hip implants named in lawsuits have metal-on-metal designs, which were marketed to active, younger patients. Manufacturers claimed the devices were more durable and would last longer than devices already on the market, such as metal-on-polyethylene and ceramic-on-ceramic models. The following hip implant manufacturers and products have been named in lawsuits:

• Depuy: ASR XL Acetabular System, ASR Hip Resurfacing System, Pinnacle
• Zimmer: Durom Cup, M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology (MLKT)
• Zimmer Biomet: M2A Magnum
• OMNI: Apex K2
• Smith & Nephew: Emperion Hip System, Birmingham Hip, Modular SMF Hip System, Modular Redapt Revision Femoral Hip System
• Stryker: Rejuvenate, ABG II Modular-neck Hip Stems
• Wright Medical: Conserve Plus, Profemur Z Hip System

DePuy Hip Replacement Failure Thousands of people who received DePuy Orthopaedics’s ASR and Pinnacle hip implants accuse the company of failing to warn patients of the risks of metal-on-metal hip replacements.

The DePuy Orthopaedics ASR hip replacement system is a metal-on-metal hip replacement device. The ASR XL Acetabular System was recalled in August 2010, amid reports of a higher than normal failure rate. Among the issues allegedly linked to the DePuy ASR XL was the releasing of metal particles that came off the device and entered into the blood stream, causing problems with the nervous system and heart, and potentially causing cobalt poisoning. Furthermore, the metal particles could cause damage to the bone and/or tissue surrounding the implant, which could result in loosening of the implant.

The DePuy Pinnacle is a hip implant system that allows the surgeon to determine whether the liner inserted in the cup is metal, ceramic or polyethylene. The Pinnacle is linked to a high failure rate due to the stem loosening and falling out of the cup.

DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuits and Settlements In November 2013 Johnson & Johnson settled more than 8,000 lawsuits for $4 billion. In March 2015, DePuy extended the settlements to cover an additional 1,800 claims, with an additional cost of $420 million. After DePuy ASR lawsuits were filed, the company’s own test results showed that they knew the 5-year failure-rate, which resulted in the recall, was actually 40 percent.

Nearly 10,000 lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by the DePuy Pinnacle, an all-metal hip implant that was not recalled. Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Depuy Orthopedics in December 2016 was ordered by a Dallas federal jury to pay more than $1 billion in damages to six plaintiffs. Another jury awarded $502 million to five people in March 2016. And yet another jury awarded six people $247 million in November 2017.

DePuy lawsuits involving its Pinnacle hip implants are still being filed.

Zimmer-Biomet Hip Implant Failure Sales of the Zimmer Durom Cup were suspended on July 22, 2008, due to issues with the surgical technique instructions. At the same time, Zimmer reported that problems with the hip post surgery required revision up to 5.7 percent of the time.

Biomet Hip Replacement Failure (Zimmer bought Biomet in 2015) Biomet hip replacements are metal-on-metal implants that were allegedly linked to a high failure rate, possibly due to metallosis (metal poisoning, caused when metal debris is absorbed by the patient’s tissue).

As of March 2017, Zimmer had sold about 148,000 of the M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology (MLKT) hip replacements nationwide. It is comprised of multiple components, including a cobalt-chromium head and a titanium neck and stem. Attorneys investigating Zimmer Biomet hip lawsuits claim the MLKT implant’s combination of metals creates a risk of generating metal debris that can lead to metallosis (metal poisoning). Zimmer is also accused of inadequately testing the device for safety.