Zimmer-Biomet has been manufacturing and distributing hip replacement systems for many years, benefiting thousands of recipients. However, thousands of other patients have allegedly suffered injuries due to Zimmer products, and face painful revision surgery, infection, toxic reactions and permanent nerve damage.
Total hip replacement systems usually consists of four separate components, including a femoral stem, femoral head, liner and an acetabular shell. Each component has the potential to fail, and cause injury.
In 2003, Zimmer received FDA approval to market the M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis, and later in 2007, Zimmer received approval to market the Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology, without a great deal of pre-market testing.
Now lawsuits and plaintiffs and their Zimmer Kinectiv hip recall lawyer allege the M/L Taper and Kinectiv hip products contained design and manufacturing defects.
Plaintiffs and medical device experts claim the taper of the stems and the femoral head cause fretting and corrosion, resulting in infection and metallosis. Recipients of these Zimmer hip implants may request tests from their doctors to check cobalt and chromium levels in the blood.
Joe Lyon is an experienced Ohio product liability attorney and Zimmer Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawyer investigating Zimmer Biomet recalls and hip replacement injuries for plaintiffs nationwide.
The Lyon Firm works with medical device experts to determine the root cause of injury and to build the strongest legal claim possible against medical device companies like Wright Medical, Zimmer Biomet, Smith and Nephew, Depuy and Stryker.
Zimmer Kinectiv M/L Stem Recall
After being on the market for less than one month, in June 2015 the FDA announced a Class 1 recall for the Zimmer M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology. The Kinectiv technology was meant to allow a surgeon to adjust the length of the affected leg, relieve nerve issues, and allow a better range of motion and stability. However, the recall announcement stated that Zimmer found a higher-than-expected amount of manufacturing “residue” on the hip implant products.
Common complications of implant corrosion and metal debris discharge into the bloodstream were noted. Metallosis and revision surgery are major risk factors with hip implants, and may lead to permanent injury.
Zimmer Recalls & Other Hip Implant Recalls
- Depuy ASR Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant
- Depuy Pinnacle Hip Implant
- Stryker Accolade Hip Replacement
- Stryker Hip
- Stryker Meridian Hip Replacements
- Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant
- Smith & Nephew Tandem Bipolar Hip System
- Smith and Nephew Birmingham Implant
- Zimmer Biomet Shoulder Systems
- Wright Medical Hip Implants
Metal Toxicity & Hip Replacement Injury
The M/L Taper Hip System is one of many artificial hip replacements that have caused health concerns due to blood toxicity, which occurs when heavy metals enter the bloodstream. Various injuries may follow when metal enters the affected joint or the heavy metals reach the blood stream. Symptoms of metallosis may include:
- Infection of the joint
- Sepsis—blood infection
- Changes in hearing or vision
- Tissue necrosis—death of tissue surrounding the joint
- Nerve damage
- Damage to the thyroid gland
- Kidney disease or renal failure
- Respiratory issues
- Cardiac issues
- Cognitive impairment
- Chronic pain in joint
- Skin & allergic reactions
Zimmer Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawyer
Due to manufacturing negligence, and putting profit before safety, medical device recalls have been more common now than ever. But instead of placing products in pre-market trials and requiring more clinical research, medical device companies bypass consumer safety, and put thousands of patients at risk.
Zimmer’s kinectiv M/L stem hip recall is just one of many device recalls. To recover compensation for damages and medical expenses, and to hold device companies responsible for injuries and corporate negligence, contact a Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawyer to discuss your legal options and potential settlement.
