Defective Hip & Knee Implants Causing a New Problem?

Florida is home to thousands of hip and knee replacement surgeries every year and some of the products used in those replacements have been recalled. Now, there is new evidence of the metal on the implants shedding tiny particles of metal as they wear. In some cases, this has led to patients showing elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in their bloodstream. At this time, it is not possible to know who will experience a reaction, what type of reaction they might have, when the reaction will occur, or how severe the reaction will be. However, according to the FDA, the metal particles around some implants can cause damage to bone and/or tissue surrounding the implant and joint. DePuy and Zimmer are leading manufacturers and sellers of artificial orthopedic implants. Zimmer’s leading knee replacement system is the NexGen Knee Replacement System and has been in use since 1994 with relative success. However, certain Zimmer NexGen knee replacement systems have been linked to pain, loosening of the implant and failure of the replacement knee leading to revision surgery. The NexGen CR-Flex cementless implant, in particular, has had higher than expected rates of failure, either by loosening of the product or need for complete replacement. These failures are believed to be due to a design defect in certain components. Know what to look for if you think your hip or knee replacement part is defective: * Unexplained Hip Pain * Thigh Pain or Groin Pain * Pain with Walking * Pain Rising from a Seated Position * Pain with Weight Bearing