Study on Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Reveals Prevalence of Issues

Across the nation and around the world, many people have received metal-on-metal hip replacements. They were seen as the next big thing when they first arrived on the market. But several years later, we see countless patients going in for revision surgery and the device manufacturers in serious legal trouble. As it turns out, the metal-on-metal (MoM) devices weren’t as wonderful as initially thought.

Dr. Chris J. Dangles of the Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, Ill., took a close look at the MoM hip replacement patients in his own practice and developed information that provides a glimpse into just how the devices can affect patients in the long-term.

The preliminary findings of his study were published on MedPage Today, where we learn that 19% of the MoM hip implants done at his clinic needed revision surgery within the first three years of follow up. At the four year mark, 24% had lined up for corrective surgery. Interestingly, almost half of the women who received the implants had revision surgery.

Dr. Dangles echoed what many other doctors have said, that “stability, increased range of motion, and decreased wear were the selling points that sold us on this implant.” The implants were marketed as the next “standard” in the world of hip implants. But there were indications that the makers knew they weren’t safe and continued to make them.

The Articular Surface Replacement XL that Dr. Dangles used was recalled in August of 2010. This was after initial information demonstrated a five-year revision rate of 13%. But Dangles had already stopped using the implant.

“We terminated use of this implant 18 months before the recall, after we had five unusual revisions including cases of motion of the acetabular cup and adverse reactions in local tissue including pseudotumors, fluid in the capsule, and tissue staining.”

Dr. Dangles said they’ve done numerous revisions and still have around 122 to do, out of a total of 359 initial MoM implants. Of those who have not yet had revision surgery, he says, only around 21% are “doing well” with no symptoms.

The doctor sums up the feelings of many patients and medical professionals when he says, “the device approval system failed all of us.”

Metal on Metal Hip Implant Attorneys

If you received a metal on metal hip implant, you were led to believe it was a safe and even possibly a better option than the alternatives. But, now you could be coping with additional surgeries and lasting pain. Let the attorneys of Davis, Saperstein, & Salomon P.C., help. Call us today to discuss your legal options and the possibility of you receiving compensation for the consequences of your implant.