Zimmer Durom Cup Lawsuits
Last Updated: August 2008 • 23 Comments
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A number of surgeons in the United States have reported a higher than expected rate of failure and loosening of the Zimmer Durom Cup, often requiring revision surgery. In July 2008, Zimmer suspended sales of the Durom Acetabular Component (Durom Cup) until they can update the label with instructions about special surgical techniques that need to be followed during total hip replacements. Unfortunately, over 12,000 patients in the U.S. already received the artificial hip component from doctors who were not provided proper instructions or training.
STATUS OF ZIMMER HIP REPLACEMENT LAWSUITS: Lawyers throughout the United States are reviewing potential Durom Cup Lawsuits against Zimmer for failing to provide proper warnings, instructions and training to surgeons.
>>REVIEW A POTENTIAL CASE WITH A LAWYER FOR ZIMMER HIP REPLACEMENT PROBLEMS<<
MANUFACTURER: Zimmer Holdings, Inc.
OVERVIEW: The Zimmer Durom Acetabular Component is a newer type of artificial hip part which is designed for use in combination with Zimmer’s Metasul Metal-on-Metal Tribological Solution Large Diameter Heads (LDH). The hip replacement cup is a monoblock of cobal chromium alloy which was introduced in Europe in 2003 and approved in the United States in 2006.
Unlike traditional hip replacement parts, the Zimmer Durom Cup is made from a single piece of material and is designed to address some of the more common problems with hip replacement components, such as wear of the bearing, limited range of motion and instability.
ZIMMER DUROM CUP HIP REPLACEMENT PROBLEMS: Since the Zimmer Durom Cup was approved for use in the United States during total hip replacements, also known as total hip arthroplasty, a number of doctors have encountered problems where the artificial hip parts loosened or otherwise failed, requiring additional surgical revisions.
In April 2008, Dr. Larry Dorr, a prominent orthopedic surgeon, wrote an open letter to members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons about Zimmer Durom Cup problems he had encountered. At that time, 14 out of 165 total hip replacements he performed with the Zimmer Durom Cup were revised or required revision within the first two years. He indicated that he did not believe the fixation surface on the cup was good, and that a circular cutting surface on the periphery of the cup prevented it from fully seating.
In May 2008, Zimmer sent a letter to healthcare providers indicating that they were initiating an investigation into the complaints of Zimmer Durom Cup complications. After reviewing data on over 3,100 cases, Zimmer suspended sales of the Durom artificial hip component in July 2008.
A Zimmer Durom Cup recall was not issued, since they indicated that there was no manufacturing defect or design defect with the components. They indicated that sales would be resumed once additional product labeling was developed to provide instructions about special surgical techinques that are required to avoid problems. They also indicated that a new surgical training program would be implemented in the United States, since the technology and design parameters of the Durom Cup require a higher degree of precision than the more common hip replacement surgical techniques used in the United States.
Pingback by Zimmer Durom Cup Sales Suspended — AboutLawsuits.com on 25 July 2008:
[...] Zimmer Durom Cup was introduced in Europe in 2003 and was first approved in the United States in 2006. The Durom [...]
Pingback by Zimmer Class Action Suit Filed After Durom Cup Problems : AboutLawsuits.com on 12 August 2008:
[...] PagesZimmer Durom Cup Sales Suspended Zimmer Durom Cup LawsuitsCeramic Hip Implant Lawsuit Alleges Doctor Influenced by Payments from ManufacturerStryker Trident [...]
Comment by Angeline on 6 September 2008:
A Zimmer acetabular trilogy acetabular system shellwith trilogy acetabular system liner was implanted in my husband’s right hip in February 2008. In May 2008 the femoral head dislocated from the shell. He has had and continues to have severe pain since the implantation and consequent closed reduction (relocation). His Doctor is now recommending revision surgery. Your information citing Zimmer Durom cup loosening and other failures does not specify if dilocation is included in ‘other failures’. I have been investigating whether the implant my husband has is, indeed, a Zimmer Durom cup. I wrote to Zimmer Holdings Inc. but as yet have not had a response.
Pingback by Zimmer Offers Training for Durom Hip Replacement Parts : AboutLawsuits.com on 29 September 2008:
[...] for the Zimmer Durom Cup were halted in July 2008, due to a high rate of failures in the United States requiring additional [...]
Pingback by Zimmer Lawsuit Filed Over Failed Durom Cup Hip Replacement : AboutLawsuits.com on 2 October 2008:
[...] lawsuit was filed last week in Florida by a man whose Zimmer Durom Cup failed only a few months after his hip replacement surgery. The complaint alleges that Zimmer manufactured [...]
Comment by KEVIN on 27 October 2008:
MY WIFE HAD A HIP RE[PLACEMENT ON THE 3RD OF MARCH 2008
AND SINCE THEN IT HAS DISLOCATED ON 5 OCCASIONS, AND SHE HAS DIFFICULTY WALKING AND IS IN CONSTANT PAIN. IT IS A DUROM CUP .
Pingback by Zimmer Sets Aside Funds for Durom Hip Implant Lawsuits : AboutLawsuits.com on 27 October 2008:
[...] Inc. disclosed last week that they have set aside $47.5 million to pay claims related to their Durum hip replacement parts, which was temporarily pulled from the market in July 2008 after a number of patients experienced [...]
Comment by Susan on 2 November 2008:
47.5 million divided by 12,000 doesn’t even amount to the cost of the surgery in some cases. Who are they kidding???
Comment by Gayla on 5 November 2008:
If I had a total hip replacement in December, 2005, is it even possible that I got the Zimmer Duron cup. I had three dislocations and three surgeries after the total r=hips replacement. It states in you article that the product was approved in 2006 for U.S. use. So I am wondering if I had surgery in December 2005, could I have even had that product?
Comment by Janelle on 1 January 2009:
I had my I year visit for my hip replacement. My Dr. told me about the Durom Cup he used. I am shocked and not sure what to do. I don’t have pain but alot of muscle soreness.
Comment by Kathleen on 9 January 2009:
I had total hip replacements in 2000. I have the Zimmer Trilogy cup. I have dislocated my right hip twice. I’m wondering whether there is something wrong with this cup?
Comment by Teresa on 14 January 2009:
I had a total right hip replacement in Nov 2007, I still walk with a cain and I still have pain and walk with a limp. The pain can get really bad. I have woke up in really bad pain during the night.
I know that my hip is Metal but I’m not sure if I have the zimmer hip. I have not been able to get the information about my hip. I just signed a release for the records from the Hospital where I had it done.
and Because I have not healed up and I’m not free from pain, stiffness and limp……. and it’s now Jan 2009………. could it be that I do have a zimmer hip???? I’ve had to be really careful……… but after all this time……. I should be good to go………. Not sure what to think. I should have information regarding the hip from the Hospital in about a week or so… I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Comment by Ilene on 29 January 2009:
I had my left hip replaced in November of 2007 proceeded with 3 months of physical therapy at my 3 month check up I was still experiencing discomfort slight pain when performing daily activities burning sensation and pain from the hip to the knee he recommended 2 more months of therapy which ended the end of march the therapy was aggravating my my back issues bring on my spinal stenoisis. Then the pain that I was having in my left hip to my knee got more severe a burning sensation in the knee with pain I had such a difficult time going up and down the stairs and even standing and walking the therapy for two months helped strengthen my muscles but the soreness and the burning still remains in the left hip are my doctor says everything is fin now he says it my back. I’m just wondering can this be an early sign I even went and got a second opinion the the doctor said everything looks good but I feel he may just not want to get in the middle or involved. In one of the articles I read the cup not only dislocates and slips it also tears is there a MRI or X-ray that can be taken to reassure me? unfortunately I will need the right one done and I prefer to hold tight until I really feel comfortable with my new Zimmer Durom cup.
Pingback by Zimmer Durom Hip Lawsuit Reserves Increased to Cover Claims : AboutLawsuits.com on 30 January 2009:
[...] reserves are have been designated to cover both known and anticipated Zimmer Durom hip lawsuits filed by individuals who have had problems with a hip replacement part sold since 2006 in the [...]
Comment by Jacque on 1 February 2009:
I had a left hip replacement in 6/2006 with the Zimmer Trilogy cup. I have had constant back and leg pain. I have also been told that my pelvic bone continues to be out of alignment. I went back to m6y surgeon numerous times with complaints to no avail. I was told by one of his nurses that lots of people are having the same problems and back and leg pain. Is there anything wrong with the trilogy cup?
Comment by JIm on 22 August 2009:
My husband had a Zimmer Trilogy Cup as well. His surgery was February 2007 and starting about the six month he has had ongoing consistent pain in his thigh and back. He has had PT, nuclear scan and finally the last time he had X-ray it showed that the appliance has not adhered to the bone. We need to have the attorneys that persistent into medical malpractive of the Durom Cup failure look into the commonalities of both appliances. I really believe we have two Zimmer implant problems.
Comment by Lynette on 31 August 2009:
I had right hip surgery in 2005. After about I year I started having severe knee,hip and back pain. On numerous occasions I could not walk. I am not a complainer but I knew something was wrong. My surgeon retired right after my hip replacement. His partners wanted nothing to do with me. My Md tried to find out what the problems were. Numerous XRay’s, special scans were done. The result was always the same-nothing wrong! After several trips to the ER. a physician informed me that I had a loose joint and as a ER physician he sees lots of this after hip surgery. I was not looking for pain pills.I am an RN and I know how often that happens and how the medical field practitioners tend to label chronic pain sufferers. I just wanted an answer. I got my surgical report and found out I had a Zimmer Trilogy Cup inplanted during surgery. Is there a problem with these cup too? I have suffered misery for three years and began to think it was all in my head. I have just gone to an ortho.surgeon in another town. They took XRays from my knees to above my hips. It took them about 5 mins to inform me that my hip joint had slipped about 2 inches, all the cement was loosened. What’s worse is that my right femur is so thin the physician is afraid it will break. I am back on a walker until I have a revision done.. On top of this my left hip needs surgery pretty quickly. I really am afaid to go through all this again.
Comment by J on 11 September 2009:
My mother had a Zimmer hip replacement a few years ago and it was Trilogy Cup. Ever since, she’s lived in constant pain. I heard of the Zimmer Durom lawsuits and started researching the Trilogy cup. The stories I am seeing and hearing are eerily similar to what she’s told me since the surgery: she lives in “constant pain”; doctor has said “nothing is wrong”.. she was starting to think it was “all in her head”, and on and on… WHERE THERE IS SMOKE, there is Usuall FIRE>.. THERE MAY BE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH ZIMMER TRILOGY CUP IMPLANTS TOO
Comment by Joanna on 11 September 2009:
I had a THR with the Zimmer Trilogy cup in July 2007 and have never had one pain free day since. I have been back numerous times, also to pain drs and other drs to no avail. Since I got off the addictive pain meds post surgery, I have constant pain in the left joint area where the hip replacement is. Shots do nothing to help it. Surgeon says the surgery was fine, xrays show nothing. All I know is I hurt and my other hip now hurts too because the surgery left my left leg longer than my right and I think my alignment is all messed up or something. I can’t sleep without waking 2-3 times from the pain and that is after taking Tylenol pm. I have no idea where to go from here but if these devices are causing other’s problems I would like to know if my situation is connected. Thanks for any comments or suggestions out there.
Comment by Dionne on 8 October 2009:
I had a left hip revision in March, 2008 using a Zimmer Trilogy cup. I have had pain in my groin since my surgery. It has been alleviated by physical therapy and a cortisone shot, but after the treatments the pain always returns. I just went to a different orthopedic surgeon yesterday who said it looks as though my cup has possibly slipped out of position.
Comment by Joan on 8 January 2010:
As I read thru the many comments posted, I cant help but notice the large number of people reporting that although they do not have the Zimmer ‘Durom Cup’ post op problems….they DO have problems with the Trilogy. I had a Zimmer Trilogy placed in May ‘04 and by July ‘06, after two yrs of constant pain had a revision. At the time of the revision, only ‘a few chunks’ of the liner was left from the original liner. This means the majority of the plastic liner is somewhere inside my hip, or my body. Now I am 45 yrs old and 6yrs out from the original surgery, and still have pain every day, every hour in my hip.Is the plastic a problem?
Comment by Brad on 20 January 2010:
At the age of 50, in Jan of 06′ I was one of the first to have this procedure using the European style technique. My surgeon was very skilled at this procedure prior it being approved in 06′. He had over 500 in a trails to help get this into the main stream of the US. The complaints I read are mostly related to the surgery not the product and proves to me again that we will jump to action prior to thinking.
This hip replacement is so, so far advanced and my recovery so complete I don’t even think about it while playing tennis, Golf or Jet skiing. It is more important to have the proper surgeon then just a REGular hip surgeon who has not the time invested or the expertise to accomplish the correct fit.
Finally, you as the patient must take care to research your doctor and then take the proper steps to a full recovery to insure the hips success. Brad
Comment by William on 30 January 2010:
I am 59 years old when on July 23, 2007 I had a hip replacement with the Zimmer Trilogy. Within 2 weeks I was taken back to the hospital because it became dislocated. I have had pain since. I have returned to the surgeon many times to tell me everything is fine just to exercise more. I use a cane daily. Can’t get up without sitting for a few minutes first and it is hard to walk, sleep, or sit. I know there is something wrong and I plan on going to another surgeon. Maybe he will listen to what I am saying.