Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common and increasing orthopedic procedures performed each year in the United States. In 2000 there were approximately 138,700 total hip replacements performed in the United States. In a ten year time frame, this number more than doubled, and in 2010 there were approximately 310,800 of these procedures performed. With the average cost of hip surgery in the United States being around $40,000, companies are eager to gain as much of this market as possible. Unfortunately, this also means companies sometimes put profits ahead of customer safety.
The Problem With Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacements
Over the years, there have been numerous lawsuits over metal-on-metal hip systems. Some of the manufacturers of metal-on-metal hips include Depuy, Zimmer, Stryker, and Biomet. These hips contained a metal-on-metal ball-and-socket components that would rub together, dislodging metal debris in a person and causing metallosis poisoning.
New Systems, New Issues
The Stryker Accolade TMZF Plus Hip System, though does not contain a metal-on-metal ball-and-socket design, is producing many of the same problems as the metal-on-metal hips. Traditional hip implants consist of a one-piece neck and stem that attach to a patient’s femur and contain the ball that goes into the hip socket. The Stryker Accolade System includes several neck and stem components and is made out of Stryker’s proprietary titanium alloy blend that mixes titanium, molybdenum, zirconium, and iron. The parts of the stem of the Accolate System contains metal-on-metal junctions and can produce the same metal shedding as the metal-on-metal ball-and-socket hips. This release of metal ions into a person’s surrounding tissue can cause metal blood poisoning, tumors, pain, and damage to the surrounding tissue.
Recent lawsuits filed against Stryker allege the company knew for years that the materials used in the Accolate System caused significant fretting and corrosion issues but continued to sell them to patients.
The Ruth Law Team is currently accepting cases on behalf of those who have been negatively impacted by these hip implants. For more information, call us toll-free at (888) 783-8378.
