Smith & Nephew: the List of Defective Hip Devices Keeps Growing
Hundreds of individuals have filed lawsuits against Smith & Nephew for injuries related to this manufacturer’s defective metal-on-metal hip implant products. In 2017, a multi-district litigation (MDL) was formed to consolidate certain Smith & Nephew hip implant lawsuits into a single federal district court in Baltimore, Maryland to more efficiently handle these complex cases. Originally, the MDL included only cases for the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) hip implant system. However, a growing number of lawsuits filed for other defective Smith & Nephew hip implant systems has resulted in their being added to the MDL. The MDL now consists of three types of Smith & Nephew hip implant cases.
Along with the BHR “pure resurfacing” system which includes the BHR cup and a femoral head cemented into place on the femur, total hip arthroplasty (THA) cases are now also being handled in the MDL. The THA system includes the BHR cup implanted with a modular head and a traditional femoral stem which is impacted into the femur. The most common femoral stems used in this system include the Synergy and Anthology hip stems, also manufactured by Smith & Nephew. THA patients suffer from the same side effects as the BHR resurfacing patients, which include metal poisoning, device failure, and the need for revision surgery.
The most recent hip implant product added to the MDL is the Smith & Nephew R3 system when using a metal liner. The metal liner, placed between the femoral head and the cup, facilitates a smooth movement of the socket. However, because of problems with this product, Smith & Nephew recalled the R3 metal liner in 2012 and issued a precautionary “hazard alert” to doctors using the metal liner in R3 hip replacement surgeries. The defect with this component arises from the rubbing of the metal liner on the other metal components within the R3 system. This friction releases metal particles into the body, leading to the deterioration of bone and tissue around the joint. As with the other defective Smith & Nephew hip implant products, this triggers the need for revision surgery.
As the list of bad products manufactured by Smith & Nephew grows, so do the company’s legal troubles. Victims injured as a result of this company’s negligence seek the justice they deserve for the defective products that have severely impacted their lives. Our experienced lawyers fight for individuals who have been harmed by defective products. If you or a loved one has been injured or required revision surgery following a Smith & Nephew 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.