Friday, January 16, 2009

Faulty Zimmer Durom Hip Cups Lead to Lawsuits

By Maxwell Schmickman

As a people, American's are living much longer than we used to. This is great news! But with a longer lifespan also comes new health problems. Because we're living longer and more active lives, we sometimes outlive the life of our joints. In that case, they need to be replaced, through such procedures as hip or knee replacement surgery. Normally, these operations give people a new lease on their lives, but this isn't always the case, and there can be complications. If you or someone you know has received a hip replacement, they will need to know the following information about faulty Zimmer Durom hip cups used in that operation.

If you're an older American, it's likely that you or someone that you know has needed a hip replacement. These surgeries, many of which involved the Zimmer Durom hip cup, are often seen as a way for otherwise healthy and active seniors to live longer, healthier lives, doing what they love to do. Normal wear and tear can lead to joint pain severe enough that hip replacement surgery is recommended. Chronic conditions such as arthritis also often lead to hip replacement, as do falls which lead to broken hips which have caused joint damage.

Hip replacement technology has allowed thousands of Americans to continue their favorite and treasured activities. In it, the femur and hip joint are replaced, allowing for normal movement without pain. Until recently however, a young recipient of this surgery would likely need their replacement itself replaced eventually, causing pain. Zimmer Durom hip cups promised to change that, with the marketing slogan that younger people could live their whole lives with one hip replacement. Unfortunately, this claim has not held true under scrutiny.

The Zimmer Durom Hip Cup, marketed as a solution to the wear and tear that can happen to a hip replacement, is actually very prone to needing replacement itself. At one hospital, fully 12 percent of those who received these replacements needed another surgery to replace the Durom hip cup within two years, a staggering amount, especially when the hip replacement is supposed to last for a lifetime. A doctor at the hospital complained to the Zimmer Durom company, and was told the issue was with 'surgeon error.'

However, this excuse hasn't held up under scrutiny. When the company themselves performed an evaluation of the Zimmer Durom hip cup, it was found that eight percent must be replaced surgically within two years. This is a far cry from the claims that those receiving this replacement would never need to undergo surgery again, and for many who received these implants, has led to pain and anguish. This has lead to the organization of a class action law suit against the company.

If you have received a hip replacement, now is the time to ask your doctor if it involved the Zimmer Durom hip cup. If you have had problems, and even if you have not yet, you may be able to join the class action suit against the company. - 16928

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