Zimmer, a manufacturer of medical devices, announced July 24, 2008, that they were removing the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Implant, and effectively suspending sales, amid reports from the medical community that there is a higher need for revisions and further surgery for those who received the implant. It was noted by Dr. Larry Dorr in April 2008 that the failure of the hip implant occurs in the first two years of placement, and sometimes the failure occurred just months after surgery. The failure rate was found to occur as much as 5.7% of the time. There are nearly 12,000 people with the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Implant in this country.
The failure Dr. Dorr described in a letter to his colleagues at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons described symptoms of loose implants and that the edge of the cup would simply “pop free.” He also stated that in one instance the cup migrated a short distance. Dr. Dorr also notified Zimmer and the FDA of his findings.
Dr. Dorr is an orthopedic surgeon and director of his own clinic. He found that 14 out of 165 patients who received the hip implant there encountered post-surgery problems and needed further revision. Dr. Dorr is not new to the world of orthopedic surgery, and has performed thousands of hip replacements in his decades of practice. However, when Zimmer received Dr. Dorr’s letter, they accused him of performing the surgery incorrectly. This is somewhat ironic considering Dr. Dorr was the consultant on the Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Implant as the company worked to patent it. As a result, for several months, Zimmer did nothing, and let this defective product stay on the market.
Suspension
While Zimmer still believes the post surgical problems to be the result of surgeons not installing them correctly, they have asked doctors to stop implanting them immediately. Zimmer says this will give the company time to correct the hip implant product’s labeling, as well as provide further detailed instructions on its placement to surgical training programs across the U.S. One might wonder why these remedies weren’t implemented before so many patients were injured by faulty Durom Cups.
Many personal injury lawyers are currently reviewing cases regarding those who received the Zimmer Durom Cup and have experienced pain for several months following hip replacement surgery.
Patients who were the recipient of a Zimmer Durom Cup and have experienced pain for three months or more, are asked to contact their doctor immediately as delaying may require further surgery and revision.
If you or a loved one has received a Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Implant, and have experienced pain for an extended period of time, please contact thePersonal Injury Lawyer Directory to find an experienced injury lawyer in your area.
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