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.