Smith & Nephew (S&N), a London company that designs a metal liner for its R3 Acetabular System hip devices, announced on June 1, 2012 that it was withdrawing that liner from the market. The company stated they were not satisfied with the clinical results of the component, after numerous reports of patients requiring revision surgery shortly after implantation.
This news of the S&N hip metal liner recall follows other reports of all-metal hip implants causing problems and complications, including pain, instability, and premature loosening. In 2010, for example, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled their all-metal ASR hip device for similar reasons. An S&N hip metal liner lawyer is now prepared to hear from more patients seeking damages in court for their injuries.
Patients May be Eligible for a S&N Hip Metal Liner Lawsuit
S&N introduced the metal liner for the R3 system in 2009, with the hope that it would produce longer lasting results than the traditional plastic liner, which is still available on the market. Those hopes were dashed, however, when the product failed to live up to expectations.
Patients using the metal liner were more likely to experience complications like infections, fractures, and dislocations than those not using all-metal devices, though so far there have been no reports of metal poisoning with this particular product. An analysis of clinical results showed that 1.6 percent of patients implanted with the system rquired revision surgery each year, which is above the 1 percent guideline set by Britain’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Patients who have been injured by the liner may be eligible to file a S&N hip metal liner lawsuit.
Study Shows Higher Failure Rate with Metal Implants
It was a 2012 British study that noted patients with all-metal implants were two-and-a-half times more likely to require revision surgery than those implants with ceramic or plastic parts. Published in the medical journal The Lancet, the study noted that six percent of patients receiving all-metal implants experienced device failure and other problems within five years, requiring revision surgery. The researchers suggested a ban on all metal-on-metal implants.
S&N Hip Metal Liner Recall Takes Product Off the Market
The S&N R3 Acetabular system was designed to offer the surgeon and patient several options, including a couple ceramic liners and the metal liner. In the first quarter of 2011, the FDA recalled a number of ceramic liners, due to a manufacturing defect. This latest S&N hip metal liner recall, however, will take the metal liner completely off the market, so that it will no longer be available for use in patients.
An S&N Hip Metal Liner Lawyer Can Help
Patients who have had to go through revision surgery because of complications from the S&N metal liner may want to speak to an S&N hip metal liner lawyer. A complete understanding of the legal rights surrounding such an incident may prove that an S&N hip metal liner lawsuit is in order. If successful, such a case could result in monetary compensation, which could help cover medical and pharmaceutical expenses. If you or a loved one has suffered an S&N hip liner injury, please contact Chaffin Luhana LLP for a free and confidential case evaluation. Call today at 1-888-480-1123.
