Year: 2018

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants and Metallosis

Posted on by YostLaw

Metal poisoning occurs when toxic levels of metal build up in the body causing damage to tissues, bones, and the nervous system. One type of metal poisoning, called metallosis, can occur as a side effect of joint replacement surgery using metal components such as those in metal-on-metal hip implants. Medical device manufacturers like Smith & Nephew, Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker began releasing metal-on-metal hip implants in 2006. Since that time, thousands of individuals have experienced the debilitating side effects of metallosis, caused by a product that was supposed to help restore their quality of life.

The risk of metallosis facing users of metal-on-metal hip implants arises due to two distinct aspects of the device: the material and the mechanics. Metal-on-metal hip implants are made primarily of two metals, cobalt and chromium. During everyday activities such as walking or bending over, the components of an implant rub against each other causing friction. This friction wears away microscopic particles of cobalt and chromium debris, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream and surrounding tissue. The metal debris can lead to a number of serious complications to the nervous system and organs, including cognitive impairment, heart failure, infection, and implant loosening. It may also cause damage to bone, tissue, and muscle, typically in the area surrounding the device.

If a patient experiences metallosis symptoms, a simple blood test can diagnose the condition. The results of the blood test will reveal the level of metal ions in the blood. Concentrations of cobalt in the blood higher than 1 microgram per liter signify metallosis, while concentrations of chromium higher than 5 micrograms per liter are also indicative of metal poisoning. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the most effective form of treatment is revision surgery. In most cases, a revision requires replacing the entire metal-on-metal device with a ceramic-on-metal or plastic-on-metal implant, and cleaning the affected area. This removes the source of the metal buildup and allows the levels of cobalt and chromium to decrease over time.

Manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip implants ignored the serious risk of Metallosis caused by their defectively designed products. Our experienced lawyers fight for individuals who have been harmed by the negligence of the manufacturers of these dangerous devices. If you or a loved one has been injured or required revision surgery following a metal-on-metal hip implant or other defective hip device, the attorneys at the Yost Legal Group will investigate your potential claim and lawsuit. For a free consultation, please call us at 1-800-YOSTLAW.

Vacuum Extraction And Subgaleal Hematoma

Posted on by YostLaw

Approximately 5% (1 in 20) of all deliveries in the United States are operative vaginal deliveries. An operative vaginal delivery refers to a physician’s use of either forceps or a vacuum device when a woman’s labor has stalled. Over time, the rate of operative vaginal delivery has been steadily decreasing. However, the number of vacuum-assisted deliveries has been increasing. It is vital that vacuum extraction is done correctly by a trained medical professional.

The vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery procedure involves placing a small round cup on the baby’s head, which attaches to a vacuum pump creating suction to provide traction to gently pull the baby out of the birth canal. If performed incorrectly, one of the most dangerous complications of a vacuum extraction delivery is called a subgaleal hematoma (SGH). This is a potentially fatal accumulation of blood beneath the scalp of the newborn which can be caused by too much suction and/or the wrong-sized suction cup damaging blood vessels beneath the baby’s scalp resulting in hemorrhage. This type of injury has been known to cause life-threatening blood loss, hypovolemic shock, permanent brain damage, neurological injuries and more specifically, cerebral palsy (CP).

The frequency of subgaleal hematomas after vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery ranges from 26 to 45 per 1000 deliveries. In the hands of an inexperienced or untrained physician, a vacuum-assisted delivery can cause you and your child serious and permanent injuries. The cost of care for a child with cerebral palsy, or any birth injury, is very high. If your child’s birth injury was caused by a complication during vacuum-assisted or forceps-assisted delivery, contact The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (800-403-7259). When you call, you will speak with an experienced Baltimore Medical Malpractice attorney absolutely FREE.

We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case. The attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced, caring professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. Call us today to receive a free, confidential consultation about your possible case. At The Yost Legal Group, there is no fee or expense unless you recover.

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