Do you have a Smith & Nephew metal hip implant? It could be one of several models that have been recalled by the company throughout the last several years due to unsafe failure rates and metallosis or cobalt poisoning.
Smith & Nephew hip models with recalls or serious concerns include:
- Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) System
- Emperion Hip System
- Modular SMF
- R3 Acetabular Hip System
- Redapt Revision Femoral System
The medical device manufacturer first recalled the R3 Acetabular Hip System in 2012 due to a growing list of failures and complaints among users. As the devices failed, revision surgery was needed to replace them. As more years passed, more recalls from Smith & Nephew were announced. In 2019, Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) against the company grew to include more than 600 lawsuits from patients who had some sort of Smith & Nephew hip implant system that failed unexpectedly.
Worrying links between Smith & Nephew hip implant systems and metallosis have also become more abundant in recent years. As the metal-on-metal hip joints move, the metal pieces rub together, creating tiny slivers of metal that flake off the device. Those slivers become embedded in the patient’s surrounding flesh, causing pain and possibly metallosis, which can be life-threatening if unaddressed.
Should You See a Doctor If You Have a Smith & Nephew Hip Implant?
Although there have been thousands of Smith & Nephew hip replacement systems recalled to date, not all of the products made by the company are dangerous. If you have a Smith & Nephew hip implant, and you have not experienced any side effects of metallosis, like heart complications or chronic pain, then you might not be in immediate danger of a medical device failure. However, it never hurts to discuss your options with your doctor anyway.
Your primary care physician can help you decide what to do next if you are experiencing side effects of a defective Smith & Nephew hip implant or if you are worried about them. It is likely that the only solution would be to remove the device and replace it with a different product altogether. Revision surgery is risky, just like any type of major surgery, so your doctor might not recommend this option until all others are explored or your symptoms worsen to the point that they are concerning.
Can You Sue Smith & Nephew?
As mentioned, there are hundreds of lawsuits pending against Smith & Nephew so far. Hundreds more could be filed in the future for the MDL, mass torts, or class actions. It depends on how many Smith & Nephew hip replacement patients explore their legal options. Certain patients might have a valid claim even if they have not yet experienced any adverse symptoms caused by their implants.
If you think you might have a claim against Smith & Nephew, then the next thing you should do is reach out to a trusted and local injury law firm. People throughout Pennsylvania can turn to Metzger Wickersham for assistance. Using our extensive legal backgrounds, we can help you figure out if you have a case. Contact us now to learn more.