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THE SIMPLE FACTSTM...The Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant has been implanted in over 12,000 patients since it was first sold in the United States in 2006. Unfortunately, some of the over 12,000 patients that underwent this expensive hip replacement surgery may find themselves facing the gruesome discovery that the Zimmer Durom cup socket may be separating from bone, rather than fusing with it.
The Durom Acetabular Component is a monoblock cup made from a single piece of material - cobal chromium alloy. It is designed for use in combination with Zimmer Metasul Metal-on-Metal Tribological Solution LDH (Large Diameter Heads).
In July 2008, Zimmer Holdings announced it was suspending sales of the Durom Cup hip implant component due to a high number of patient complaints after hip replacement. It is estimated that a large percentage of patients receiving the Durom Cup may need to undergo additional hip replacement or additional surgery to have this potentially defective component replaced.
Problems With Durom Cup
Problems with the Durom Cup hip replacement implant first became apparent in April 2008, when Los Angeles surgeon Dr. Lawrence Dorr publicly warned other orthopedists about cup failures his patients were experiencing after hip replacement surgery. After informing colleagues in a professional society about his experience with the Durom Cup, Dr. Dorr heard from several other doctors who reported similar problems.
According to Dr. Dorr and other physicians, x-rays of patients who received defective Durom Cups during hip replacement surgery showed that the socket was separating from bone, rather than fusing with it. For patients, who had been told their new hips might last 15 to 20 years, it meant agony as the metal cup moved around in the hip socket and rubbed against bone.
Shockingly, his complaints fell on deaf ears. Zimmer actually had the audacity to blame Dr. Dorr's surgical techniques for the problems his patients experienced. At the time, Zimmer did nothing to address his concerns.
Dr. Dorr and Zimmer
In April 2008, after being rebuffed by Zimmer, Dr. Dorr took his concerns to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. According to Zimmer's own investigation, some clinics using the Durom Cup experienced failure rates as high as 5.7% after hip replacement surgery. In spite of the evidence that something might be wrong with the design of the Durom Cup, Zimmer is still blaming doctors for its high failure rate. And, despite its contention that the Durom Cup implant is safe, Zimmer has stopped marketing the Zimmer Durom cup device in the U.S. in 2008.
The company has also stopped the enrollment of an investigational clinical trial evaluating Durom in hip resurfacing procedures. Zimmer, however, will not give up on the Durom Cup. The company plans to update the labeling for the hip replacement device, and reintroduce to the U.S. market by 2009.
Quite frankly, the simple factsTM about the Zimmer Durom cup hip replacement socket implant used for hip replacements and the possible injuries - socket bone separation, pain and repeat surgery (revision) - that may be caused by using the Zimmer Durom cup hip socket implant are unacceptable.
If you have had hip surgery and the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement device was used and you are suffering side effects or problems - socket bone separation, pain and repeat hip replacement surgery (revision), you may have a case/lawsuit and be entitled to compensation.
We are investigating claims associated with the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip replacement device and the possible side effects and problems (socket bone separation, pain and repeat hip replacement surgery (revision) etc.) from the use of the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip replacement device.
We are here to help you protect your legal rights and the legal rights of your loved ones.
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