The Hidden Dangers of Hip Implants

Many recipients of metal-on-metal hip implants have reported severe health issues. These include nerve damage, metal poisoning, thyroid damage, and even a loss of mobility. Unfortunately, these just scratch the surface of the many risks that have been associated with receiving this type of device. If you have suffered any of these complications, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to determine whether or not you should take legal action against the manufacturer of the implant you received.

A Long List of Problems

All surgeries carry inherent risk, but the adverse events associated with metal-on-metal hip implant surgery are devastating. For example, patients have reported that components of their implants have rubbed together, releasing microscopic metal debris into the surrounding tissues, which has caused severe pain when running or walking. Implant components have also worn down prematurely or began to corrode, causing major problems.

In some cases, small metal particles have worn off, entering not only surrounding tissue but also the bloodstream. This can lead to a potentially serious illness known as metallosis, which can damage the thyroid gland as well as the kidney.

Other problems include:

• Tissue damage
• Loss of range of motion
• Severe pain
• Infections
• Inflammation

Several agencies around the world have alerted patients and healthcare professionals to the potential dangers of metal-on-metal implants. The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), a United Kingdom governmental agency, issued an alert in 2010 that recommended patients with painful implants undergo imaging and blood tests. Health Canada issued a communication to patients as well as surgeons in 2012, while Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration posted safety information to medical professionals later that year.

Some patients suffer so badly that they need another procedure known as a revision surgery in order to fix the problem. While a surgeon can sometimes correct an issue with an existing implant, patients often need the device removed entirely and replaced with another one.