Zimmer Hip Implant Recall

In July of 2008, Zimmer Holdings, a leading producer of orthopedic devices, discontinued all US sales of the "Durom cup" due to a high failure rate. The artificial hip replacement component may fail due to a possible defect that allows it to loosen or break. Some cases could require revision surgery or implant replacement.

The problem first received public attention when a Los Angeles, California orthopedic surgeon warned other orthopedic surgeons about the high number of cup-related failures his patients were experiencing. Zimmer denied that the device was defective but acknowledged that some patients who'd received the implant would require revision surgery.

Some patients with Zimmer hip implants suffer from what has come to be known as Zimmer hip pain. Some temporary discomfort or pain after hip implant surgery is normal, and not necessarily suggestive of a broken hip implant. But if the pain persists, the patient is advised to contact his or her physician to find out if the implant has loosened or fractured, or if there may be other hip surgery related problems.

Although there are currently no tests to predict which implants are likely to fail, patients with recalled hip implants should be closely monitored by their doctors. Fracture of an implant is sometimes preceded by an audible pop just prior to the onset of pain. A fractured hip implant requires surgery to replace it.

The decision to pull the device from the market has cost Zimmer an estimated $20 to $30 million. But, more importantly, the company has opened itself to defective product litigation that is bound to incur much steeper costs. This is not the first time Zimmer has faced such litigation, however, and it hopes to remarket the device by 2009.

If you or a loved one is faced with needing revision surgery or surgery to replace a Zimmer hip implant that may be defective, we advise you to request that the doctor preserve the implant as evidence rather than return it to the manufacturer. You are also well advised to contact a medical product liability attorney to discuss your rights along with any monetary compensation you may be entitled to.

See also:

Hip injury
Sulzer hip recall
Stryker hip recall