Hutton & Hutton Law Firm is now reviewing Wright Conserve hip replacement lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered serious and debilitating complications. Wright Medical Technology manufactures the Conserve, a metal-on-metal hip implant that has been linked to metal poisoning, premature failure, and other complications.
A growing number of hip replacement patients are reporting serious problems with their Wright Profemur ® Hip System implants. Manufactured by Wright Medical, Inc., the Wright Profemur ® Total Hip System is a modular implant, comprised of a femoral stem, modular neck, and femoral head, mated with an artificial acetabular cup.
Evolving evidence in the USA has revealed that certain models of the modular neck may suddenly and without warning break a few short years after implant. According to data reported to the Australian Orthopaedic Association, the early failure rate of the Wright Medical Profemur ® may be as high as 11.2% – well above industry averages.
WRIGHT MEDICAL PROFEMUR HIP INVESTIGATION
To date there have been hundreds of reports of modular neck fractures of the Wright Medical Profemur ® Hip System made to the U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA). Given the nature, time and location of these reports, it would appear the problem is not related to a single “lot” of devices. Based on Wright Medical’s published marketing information, there may be as many as 100,000 similar modular necks implanted to date.
If you or a loved one has experienced serious pain or required corrective surgery following the failure of a Wright Medical artificial hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation.
It is important that you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. If you wait, evidence that could help establish your case may be lost, damaged, or even destroyed. In addition, statutes of limitations put strict time limits in place by which lawsuits must be filed. These time limits vary depending on the state in which you live.
What is the Wright Conserve?
Wright Medical Technology received approval for the Conserve in 2003. Instead of conducting rigorous safety tests, they submitted a 510(k) application claiming the Conserve was “substantially equivalent” to other metal-on-metal hip implants. Unfortunately, many of these all-metal hips have been linked to unacceptably high rates of failure.
Types of devices in Wright Conserve hip implant lawsuits:
• Conserve Total Hip Implant System
• Conserve Plus Total Resurfacing Hip System
• Conserve Femoral Hip Surface Replacement
• Conserve Total A-Class Advanced Metal Hip Implant System
• Conserve Resurfacing System
What is the problem with Wright Conserve Hip?
The problem with the Wright Conserve hip implant is that it has a metal-on-metal design. This means that a metal femoral head pivots inside a metal cup, like a “ball-and-socket.” In some cases, friction can cause toxic particles of metal to accumulate in a patient’s body. Local tissue reactions may include pain, swelling, inflammation, bone loss, and soft-tissue growths. Systemic reactions may include blood poisoning and metallosis. Patients who develop these complications may require revision surgery.
FDA Reviewing Safety of Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements
In June 2012, the FDA warned that metal-on-metal implants are not superior to plastic or ceramic devices, and they have additional risks. Many experts recommend that people who have pain or other problems should undergo medical exams, including blood tests and X-rays.
Side Effects of a Wright Hip Replacement
• Hip pain
• Problems standing or walking
• Loosening of the hip joint
• Metal poisoning (metallosis)
• Metal sensitivity
• Hip revision surgery