Zimmer Durom Hip Replacements Have High Failure Rate
As American’s life expectancies grow longer, more and more of our body parts are wearing out before we do. One of the first and most common to go are our joints, especially those located at our hips. Because of years of activity, these joints can become worn down as we age, and must be replaced medically. It’s become a very common procedure, and it’s likely that you or an older loved one has had a hip replaced. If so, read on please, because there is important information you need to know about hip replacement that have been recalled as faulty, made by the manufacturer Zimmer Durom.
Having your hip replaced is something that has happened to many American’s for a number of reasons. These hip replacements, unfortunately, could have been the faculty ones manufactured by Zimmer Durom. Hip replacement, or hip arthroplasty, is a surgery in which the natural hip joint is replaced by an artificial ones. There are many different conditions for which this surgery is recommended. They include the pain for arthritis which was located in the hip joint. Normal wear on the joint is also a reason, when it affects quality of life. Lastly, hip joints are often replaced after a hip fracture.
The modern hip replacement operation has been taking place since the 1970’s, which is why the idea may seem so commonplace to you. A hip replacement, such as those from Zimmer Durom, most commonly involves three separate pieces, designed to mimic how a natural knee joint would. They include a metal replacement for part of the femur. A component which allows for movement like the joint naturally would, and either bone cement or screws to hold the contraption in place.
For those who have had rip replacement, a large fear is needing the replacement replaced. It can cause serious complications in the ability to walk, and is a painful and long process. The Zimmer Durom was designed to avoid that, so that young hip replacement patients could have the one device for the rest of their lives. However, in one clinic, 12 percent of patients needed further replacement surgery in two years, which means the Zimmer Durom device does not work at all how it should. When this information was released, it caused an outcry among doctors.
Zimmer Durom maintains that this high failure rate is the result of surgeon error, but their own study has shown that 8 percent of patients need a revision in under two years, and it was pulled from the market in July 2008. Many doctors and lawyers believe that the issue is with the replacement, and there is a right to sue.
If you or a loved one received a Zimmer Durom hip replacement, something your doctor will know, you may have the right to join a class action law suit, even if your replacement has not yet failed.. Be wary of signing anything by Zimmer Durom, as that may be a release taking away this right.