Are You Effected by the Hip Recall?
Are you one of the many American's who has needed a hip replacement? This procedure, which has been performed for almost forty years, has become increasingly common. When performed correctly, it is a great way to give otherwise healthy patients a new lease on life, and the ability to stay healthy as they enjoy their favorite activities, just as they always have.
As we age, our hip joints often wear out. In the past, this has led to pain and inactivity, especially among younger sufferers. Hip replacements help, but need to be replaced themselves every ten years. The Zimmer hip implant was supposed to change all that, not needing to be replaced. Unfortunately, this claim has not held up. Because of this, there is a large and far reaching hip recall.
If you're an older American, it's likely that you or someone you know has had a hip replacement with a device similar to the one involved in the hip recall. As we get older, our bodies begin to break down from age and overuse. Joints are especially prone to becoming damaged, making mobility extremely difficult or painful. Why have hip replacements become more common place over the last thirty years? Because over that time the American population is aging as never before. Not only are there more seniors, but they are living much longer than previously, meaning that their joints are being used for longer, and more, than ever before.
The hip recall is targeted to a device made by the Zimmer Durom company. This device was used for those needing a hip replacement at a younger age than is normal. For most of those receiving a hip replacement, their lifespan will not be longer than that of the normal device, which is about ten years. But for those in their fifties and sixties, the possibility of outliving an implant, and needing it replaced with more surgery, is high. Therefore, the device in the hip recall was marketed as having a much longer life, meaning it would be much less likely to need replacement during a users lifetime.
These claims were actually false. At a clinic where many of the devices were installed, a doctor noted that twelve percent of patients who received the Zimmer Durom implant needed to have them surgically replaced within two years. This number is much higher than it should be given their claims of longevity, and it much higher than that of even a traditional implant. The discrepancy led to calls for a hip recall. Zimmer Durom claimed that the high failure rates at the clinic were caused by doctor error, but in fact, in their own internal study, seven percent of the devices failed within two years. Because of this high number, the company pulled the hip replacement device in July 2008.
If you or someone you know received a hip replacement before July 2008, contact your doctor immediately to ensure that it is not a part of the hip recall. If it is, consult with your doctor about your health, and the longevity of your hip replacement, immediately. Even if the replacement does not need to be removed immediately, you may also qualify to take part in a class action lawsuit against Zimmer Durom.