Lawsuits Related to Wright Profemur Z Stem Hip Replacement System

The Wright Medical Company has manufactured and sold multiple hip implant devices, including the Conserve, Dynasty, and Profemur Z Stem. Unfortunately, all of these metal-on-metal hip implant devices have been linked to dangerous medical complications. Patients throughout the country who received the Profemur Z Stem hip replacement system have filed lawsuits against Wright Medical. Wright Medical has subsequently settled hundreds of defective product lawsuits out of court.

If you have experienced complications from your Profemur Z Stem hip implant system, you may be entitled to compensation. Under North Carolina law, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell defective devices may be liable for any injuries resulting from their product’s use. Patients receiving these hip implants were expecting to have more mobility and less pain after surgery. Yet, these metal-on-metal hip implant devices have been linked to life-altering complications.

If you or your loved one have experienced complications after a hip replacement surgery, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your potential options. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule your free initial consultation.

The Profemur Z Stem hip implant system is a metal-on-metal device. Surgeons once thought that metal-on-metal hip devices were better for patients because they are durable. However, many of the metal-on-metal hip implants have been linked to serious medical complications. One of the main complications reported is damage to the patient’s joints and surrounding tissue. When the patient walks, the metal-on-metal devices grind together repeatedly; this grinding creates metal shavings that flake off into the patient's surrounding tissue.

When these metal flakes enter a patient's surrounding tissue, they can cause tearing and damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and even vital organs. The metal flakes can also travel through the patient's bloodstream, causing a condition called Metallosis, or metal poisoning. Metallosis occurs when there is an accumulation of titanium, chromium, or cobalt in the patient's bloodstream. Metallosis can cause the following other severe medical conditions:

• Thyroid problems
• Skin rashes
• Thickening of the patient’s blood
• Implant loosening
• Nerve problems
• Cognitive impairment
• Visual impairment
• Depression
• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Severe pain around the hip joint area
• Poor memory
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo
• Hearing loss
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Groin pain

When patients receive a hip implant, they anticipate that hip implants will work successfully for many years, if not decades. Sadly, many victims begin suffering symptoms of metal poisoning from metal-on-metal hip implants within days or months of receiving their implant. These patients almost always need to undergo revision surgery.

Some patients who have received a recalled Profemur hip implant need to have hip implant revision surgery. Hip revision surgery can be riskier to the patient and is often considered to be more invasive and painful than the original hip implant surgery. These revision surgeries often require reconstruction of the affected area, which can cause serious damage to the surrounding bones. Surgeons frequently need to break the prosthetic off of the bone because prosthetic implants are designed so that the bone grows to attach to the implant. Patients also have an increased risk for a variety of surgical complications, including the following symptoms:

• Blood clots
• Infection
• Damage to the blood vessels or nerves
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Excessive bleeding
• Pulmonary embolism

The need for revision surgery can not only be painful and costly, but the recovery time can affect a patient’s ability to work. This can create a huge financial strain for the victim and their families.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we understand how overwhelming a potential lawsuit can be, especially when dealing with health complications. We are here to help. If you think your hip implant might be defective, you need to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. North Carolina law imposes a three-year statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits, so it is important to act before it is too late. Contact one of our attorneys today to get started.

For your convenience and safety, we offer video and phone conferencing. If you prefer an in-person consultation, we have three easy to reach offices in Uptown Charlotte, Monroe, and Mooresville. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC can help fight for the compensation you deserve.