March 25, 2015
Metal-on-metal hip implants can lead to metal debris migrating from the device into the blood and surrounding tissue, according to the European Commission’s (EC’s) Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). The EC described the potential health risk in a recently released fact sheet for patients requiring a hip replacement. The fact sheet is entitled: “The safety of metal-on-metal (MoM) joint replacements with a particular focus on hip implants.”
The individual parts of a metal-on-metal hip implant can rub against each other, causing the release of metal ions which, over time, can build up around the medical device. The metal particles can also migrate to a patient’s bloodstream. When problems arise, early symptoms include swelling in the area.
One of the problems with metal-on-metal hip implants is reportedly that the components tend to be larger than those in medical devices using plastic parts. Larger parts tend to be more durable and less likely to dislocate. But SCENIHR members found that metal-on-metal hip devices involving components with a larger diameter pose the greatest risk of dangerous side effects for patients. The use of metal-on-metal implants should be determined on a case-by-case basis in which the surgeon considers the patient’s gender, age, body size and lifestyle.
Small boned women, women of childbearing age and patients with allergies to the metals involved should not receive metal-on-metal hip implants in any event, according to the fact sheet.
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel is a national plaintiffs’ law firm devoted to helping families in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving metal-on-metal hip implants manufactured by a number of companies, including Stryker, Zimmer, Biomet and DePuy. If you have suffered injuries or the death of a loved one associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements, contact us by email or call us at 800.226.9880to speak with one of our medical device attorneys, like Sara Coopwood in the firm’s Texas office, and learn more about how we can assist you with a metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuit or claim.
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