Cost Of Healthcare Sure To Increase With Hip Implants Failure
Medical experts estimate that failed metal-on-metal hip implants may end up costing taxpayers, insurers and other involved parties billions of dollars. Although no hard data exists at this particular point in time, the evidence is mounting and all signs point to the potential for millions of dollars in damages.
One manufacturer of this metal-on-metal hip implant is DePuy, a franchise of orthopedic and neurosurgery companies. The problem with these hip replacements is that as a person regains full mobility the wear of the metal parts against each other generates debris that is damaging to the tissue around the hip area and in some cases has permanently crippled patients. It can be frightening to learn that something inside of your body has been recalled. The new implant is essentially producing metal filings or shavings inside the body, much like shrapnel from a grenade blast but to a lesser degree of severity.
In September of 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than 5,000 adverse event reports in the first six months of 2011 regarding all-metal hips, which was more than the agency had received in the prior four years combined. Then a study conducted in England revealed that all-metal hips were failing at nearly three times the rate of hips made from metal-and-plastic components, which can last 15 years or more.
This is certainly alarming news.
If you or a loved one has had a problem because of your DePuy hip implant, you need help.
Call our Toledo, Ohio DePuy hip replacement injury lawyers today to set up your free legal consultation.