Why You Should be Concerned about Metal Hip Implants

 Posted on April 29, 2014 in Defective Medical Devices

While all of the different artificial hip implants on the market carry some form of wear risk, those that are made with metal-on-metal are some of the most dangerous out there. This is because of their unique structure, and these additional concerns can create problems and pains for patients who have had them installed.

In these hip implants, the metal cup and metal ball slide against one another while the patient is walking or running. As a result, small metal particles can be released into the body of the wearer. Corrosion at this connection is also cause for concern, because the small metal particles that have been corroded may release these materials into the bloodstream. Sadly, too many metal hip implant patients learn this too late. The FDA notes that there is actually no way to prevent some metal particles from being produced as a wearer uses their device.

There are reports in orthopedic literature and from international agencies about the dangers of these hip implants, and yet doctors still continue to use them for patients in need of hip replacement. Many patients who have received metal-on-metal hip implants have experienced some problem afterwards, and some of those cases required revision surgery. Between noticing the problem and getting the surgery, some patients continued to suffer.

There are several signs that patients can watch for with regard to hip implant issues. These include renal function problems, cardiomyopathy, skin rashes, thyroid dysfunction, changes in general psychological outlook, and neurological changes. If a patient begins experiencing these problems, he or she should reach out to a medical professional for neurological testing.

If you have been injured because of your metal-on-metal hip implant, you may also be entitled to compensation for your injuries. To learn more, contact an Illinois defective medical device attorney today.