Zimmer Hip Recall

Zimmer Hip Replacement Design Features:

 

Zimmer hip replacement therapy is used to reduce hip pain due to arthritis.  Some patients will experience pain during recovery but this will dissipate in the long-term.  However, some hip replacement therapies can be too rigid causing pinching against flexible bone that supports them.  Zimmer hip replacement therapies were designed with new features to minimize pain and stiffness.

 

Changes in leg length were considered by Zimmer by offering a variety of sizes and neck angles of their implants to closely match the patient's natural leg length and joint angle.  This way each patient's anatomy may be accommodated creating a natural transition from his or her natural joint to an artificial one.  This creates a maximum range of motion while minimizing the potential for dislocation.  Zimmer also considered bone preservation.  Given that bone is living tissue, it needs regular stimulus to function normally.  Improper interaction between the prosthesis and bone causes bone loss or abnormal bone growth during bone remodeling.  Zimmer designed a prosthesis that creates a stable fit with natural stress interactions between prosthesis and implant.  Zimmer has also redesigned the cup implant (placed in the hip socket) to prevent excess wear between the ball and cup.  Other implant systems have reported excess wear between the ball and socket cup that eventually causes the cup to become loose.  Many doctors have reported this problem to be the number one cause of hip replacement failure.  Even with all these implant advances, longevity of a hip implant varies.  Ultimately, it depends on the patient's physical condition, activity levels, weight and surgical procedure.  Your implant is not as strong and durable as a healthy joint so your prosthesis may need to be replaced after a number of years.

 

Zimmer Implants have been Recalled:

 

Recently Dr. Larry Dorr wrote a letter to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons expressing concerns about failures and defects associated with the Zimmer Durom Cup.  Dorr observed in his patients that the implant failed within the first two years.  During revision surgery, he found that the cup implant had become loose and in fact popped out of the socket when a small amount of pressure was applied.  He believes that these cups have a poor fixation surface that prevents the cup from being seated properly.  Dorr has stopped using the Zimmer Durom Cup stating that he believes they are defective.

 

The Zimmer Durom hip replacement prosthesis was first marketed in 2006 in the United States.  A Zimmer recall was issued on July 24, 2008 due to a faulty Durom Cup.  Zimmer will need to determine what is wrong with the Durom Cup surface that prevents proper seating into the hip socket.  The Zimmer Durom implant has been placed in 12,000 patients since this prosthesis went on the market.  You may want to contact your orthopedic surgeon to check on the particular implant that you received.  Make sure you keep a record of your doctor's report.  If you have had revision surgery, it is a good idea to save the removed implant so that you can use it as evidence in a possible lawsuit.   If you have received a Zimmer Durom hip cup and believe it has failed, needs to be removed, or you have already had revision surgery you may want to contact a Zimmer lawyer for a case review.

 

If you have experienced a Zimmer hip replacement failure or any other hip replacement related complication, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Zimmer lawsuits are currently being filed across the country.

 

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