Many Georgia residents have undergone hip replacement surgery with the hope that they will no longer feel any hip joint pain. The surgery generally requires the ball-and-socket joint of the hip to be replaced with a manufactured ball inside a cup. Doctors originally believed that using metal-on-metal hip devices, where both the ball and cup are made of metal, would be better for patients than ceramic or plastic devices, as they would last longer and make the joint more stable. However, many patients have found that metal hip-on-hip implants are more trouble than they’re worth.
Countless patients who have had metal hip implants have suffered severe health complications caused by their devices. For instance, the friction between the metal components can cause metallic pieces to break off and enter the patient’s bloodstream. As a result, the patient may suffer from a painful condition called metallosis, which can cause swelling and possibly blood poisoning.
So, who is responsible for these health complications? In many cases, the manufacturer is liable for creating a product with a flawed design or manufacturing defect or failing to give patient’s adequate warnings about the dangers of having a hip implant. Doctors can also be held liable if they failed to meet the necessary standard of medical care when performing the hip replacement procedure.
Many manufacturers of these faulty hip implants have recalled their devices, but that is hardly any consolation for the people who have suffered and had to undergo additional surgeries due to these defective products. An attorney specializing in medical product liability can assist you in filing a claim against the manufacturer responsible for your pain and suffering and help you recover damages to cover your medical expenses and other costs.