Each year, more than 100,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the U.S. A hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which diseased, degenerating joint tissue in the hip is removed and replaced with plastic prosthetic devices, which are attached to the thighbone and the pelvis with bone cement.
Hip replacement surgery my be recommended for patients with:
- bone tumors
- hip trauma
- lack of blood flow to the hip joint
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
Hip replacement surgeries are usually only performed when use of other non-surgical treatments, such as canes, physical therapy and medication fail to improve mobility and reduce hip pain.
Hip Replacement Devices
In traditional, older hip implants, the devices are expected to last anywhere from 12 to 20 years, depending on an individual’s level of activity. New devices, such as those produced by Stryker Corp. and the Wright Medical Group, however, can last more than 20 years, which is particularly useful for younger patients who want to minimize the need for further hip replacement surgeries later in life.
Specific models of Stryker and Wright hip implants include:
- Trident Acetabular PSL Cup
- Trident Hemispherical Cups
- Conserve Femoral Surface Replacement System
- Profemur Tapered Stem Total Hip System
- Durom Cup Hip Replacement Device.
Defects with Hip Replacement Devices
Patients have been reporting the development of some serious side effects associated with their hip implants. Symptoms of hip implant defects include:
- extreme hip pain
- problems walking
- squeaky joints
These symptoms may indicate an ill-fitting hip implant or the fracture of the implant altogether. If left untreated, patients will suffer excruciating pain, and parts of the implant can break off in the body, causing other bone fractures (among other serious health problems).
Help For Injured Patients
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective hip implant and, as a result, has had to undergo hip replacement surgery, you will have a legal claim, and will be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, our highly skilled injury lawyers are dedicated to defending your rights and helping you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. Our distinguished product liability attorneys have successfully litigated more than 200,000 injury claims, and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims and their families. We believe that medical device manufacturing companies have a responsibility to American consumers, and when something goes wrong with their products we are not afraid to expose their wrongdoing. We have the experience, the passion and the resources to fight aggressively on your behalf. To schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced attorney, contact us today.
