Canadian Surgeons Warned About Hip Replacement Risks

Health Canada is warning orthopedic surgeons about the potential health risks linked to metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacement surgery.

The hip implants have been associated with reports of pain, implant loosening, and local tissue reactions. In severe cases additional surgery was required to replace the old system with a new one, according to a Health Canada press release. A survey conducted by the UK’s National Joint Registry showed that about 14.2 percent of revised MoM hip replacements exhibited soft tissue reactions.

Some of these adverse reactions are thought to be the result of increased levels of small metal particles and metal ions released by the medical device. In addition to warning doctors of the risks involved with these implants, the agency issued specific recommendations for follow-up and diagnosis of patients with a MoM hip implant such as how to properly assess patients from revision surgery and metal ion contamination.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe medical device, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you. Call us today at (800)-561-7154.