Studies have shown metal on metal type hip implants had significantly higher risks, but no additional benefit for patients. Based on these findings, experts are recommending that these dangerous medical devices be banned as they offer no advantage over other types of hip implants.
Metal on metal hip Implants have been linked to the following side effects:
- Premature failure of hip implant causing the need for revision surgery
- Leaking toxic chromium and cobalt particles into the bloodstream causing Metallosis
- Damage to surrounding tissue around implant
- Inflammatory reactions causing pain
- Hip Dislocation
- Cancer
- Cardiomyopathy (degenerative heart disease)
- Bone loss
- Permanent disability
Metal hip implants side effects include toxic metal poisoning
One of the complications that patients with a defective metal on metal hip implant may face is metallosis, a condition in which metal particles build up in the tissue around the implanted joint.
Symptoms of metallosis include pain around the hip joint, difficulty walking, swelling around the implant area and a rash that is a sign of dying tissue.
Those symptoms may also indicate these severe problems:
- Loosening, when the implant does not stay attached to the bone in the right position
- Fracture, where the bone around the implant may have broken
- Dislocation of the implant
- Damage to the nerves, tissues and muscles near the implant area
Many patients have experienced flu-like symptoms, including lethargy, headaches, aching joints, and a feeling of malaise.
Experts call for ban on metal on metal hip implants
A study published in the Lancet in March of 2012 found that metal on metal hip implants were much more likely to fail compared to other models of hip implants made of different materials. British researchers looked at data from 400,000 people who had a hip replacement. Out of these patients, 31,000 had a metal on metal hip implant.
They reported the following hip implant failure rates:
- 6.2% failure rate in metal on metal design
- 2.3% failure rate in ceramic-on-ceramic design
- 1.7% failure rate in metal-on-plastic design
Nationwide Metal on Metal Hip Implant Attorneys
If you or a loved one have suffered or been injured from a defective metal on metal hip implant or have needed hip implant revision surgery due to a defective metal on metal hip replacement you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the metal on metal hip implant attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free, confidential case evaluation by filling out the form on this page or calling our office.
