The number of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant patients in the United States may be as high as 750,000 people. If you are one of them, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the device. Attorney David Szerlag is our lead attorney for these lawsuits, which we have filed in several states. Contact our law firm about your hip replacement lawsuit.
Attorney David Szerlag attended a two-day FDA advisory panel meeting on the use of metal-on-metal hip implants. The meeting was called in response to evidence that some MoM hip implants may have higher failure rates (especially in women), cause chromium and cobalt poisoning and tissue necrosis (death).
Although many issues were left unanswered, there was consensus on some:
- Regular metal ion testing should be performed for all MoM hip replacement patients, even those experiencing no symptoms of chromium or cobalt poisoning;
- Ion testing should be performed on serum or whole blood samples;
- Patients should have metal sensitivity testing done prior to the operation to implant a MoM hip device;
- Patients should be informed about special risks associated with MoM hip replacement systems, particularly the possibility of having elevations in metal ions and the development of pseudotumors adjacent to the hip implant; and
- Patients with no symptoms of high metal ion levels associated with their MoM devices should be evaluated yearly;
- Patients who are having problems with their hip implant, including having symptoms of chromium or cobalt poisoning, should be seen at least every 6 months until they need hip revision surgery.