Zimmer Durom Cup problems could have been discovered sooner
An article in today’s edition of the New York Times highlights the lack of tracking system in place in the United States, which may have alerted doctors sooner to the Zimmer Durom Cup problems which eventually led the manufacturer to suspend sales last week. The decision to stop selling the product in the U.S. came months after doctors first started complaining that patients were experiencing loosening of their Zimmer Durom Cup artificial hip and required revisions of their hip replacements at an alarming rate.
>>INFORMATION: Zimmer Durom Cup Lawsuits
The United States does not have any national artificial joint tracking system which could have sounded the warning bell as the Zimmer Durom Cup problems began to surface. Such databases, known as a joint registry, have proven effective in Australia, Britain, Norway and Sweden, where doctors are able to identify potential problems with devices and elect to only use a particular component after it has been proven to be safe and effective.
The New York Times article outlines how orthopedic surgeons in Sweden were alerted long before doctors in the United States about problems eight years ago with another type of artificial hip implant, made by Sulzer Orthopedics. Swedish doctors were able to identify an alarmingly high rate of replacements after 30 patients received the component, which it was later discovered was contaminated by oil during the manufacturing process. The product was not recalled in the United States until months later, after thousands of Americans received the artificial hip implant.
The recent Zimmer Durom Cup issues were first noticed by prominent orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Larry Dorr, last year. He identified a high rate of problems with the Zimmer Durom Cup, where his patients were experiencing excruciating pain after their hip replacement which was being caused by the artificial hip socket separating from the bone, instead of fusing with it. After his concerns were dismissed by Zimmer, he published an open letter to his colleges in April 2008, which eventually led Zimmer to investigate the Durom Cup problems.
Last week Zimmer announced that they were suspending sales of the Durom Cup, but thousands of individuals received the artificial component during their hip replacement while this was being investigated. Zimmer has not issued a Durom Cup Recall, but instead indicates that they will re-introduce the component in the United States after they update the labeling to indicate that special surgical techniques must be used and implement a training program for surgeons who wish to use the Durom Cup.
ZIMMER DUROM CUP LAWYERS
Potential product liability lawsuits are being investigated throughout the United States by the Zimmer Durom Cup Lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. Individuals who know that they received this component or suspect that they may be suffering from Zimmer Durom Cup problems, can request a free consultation to have a potential case reviewed by our attorneys. While many people are unaware of the type of artificial hip replacement component used, our lawyers can obtain medical records and investigate whether pain, loosening of the hip implant or revisions of a hip replacement may be caused by the Zimmer Durom Cup.
To review a potential case, request a free Zimmer Durom Cup Lawsuit evaluation.
9 Comments • Add Your Comments
Debra says:
My hip replacement failed twice.
Posted on August 11, 2008 at 6:48 am
joe says:
I had total hip replacement in june 2008 how do i know if they used the zimmer cup ,and how do I find out? I havent had any problems yet but Im only 53 and I dont want any lol Im in the 4 th month of my recovery now and I havent had any pain yet but I would like to know for peace of mind
Posted on August 29, 2008 at 12:52 pm
john says:
i had a zimmer durom cup implanted in august 07. by november of 08 i was in terrible pain, so much that i could barely walk. in january of 09 the durom cup was removed and replaced with a different zimmer device. i certainly hope the new one works better.
Posted on March 6, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Dennis says:
I just came from my Dr appointment were he said my ongoing pains and problems may never go away. In 2006 I had both hips replaced 3 mos apart. He told me my left was a Sulzer and the right is a Zimmer. I have had pain and movemwnt problems for 3 years! Now I’m finding out maybe why!
Posted on March 19, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Brigitte says:
I had two Zimmer Durom Hip Resurfacing implants (both my hips) in Belgium in May and June 2005. I live in The Nethelands. Have had a lot of pain and problems ever since but the surgeon keeps saying all is fine. Only today I have discovered this news about the Durom which seems unknown in The Netherlands!
I would like to know how I get this diagnosedm because I have been in pain too long.
Posted on March 31, 2009 at 2:29 pm
rafino says:
I want to know if I have a case I have had two hip replacement due to infected part after surgery I had surgery because of deteriorate of of the hip cause by medicated steroids my right leg shorter than the left so I walk with a slight limp I never went back to Dr to get it corrected
Posted on March 28, 2011 at 2:18 am