Zimmer Hip Replacement Lawsuit Filed Over Durom Cup Problems
An Illinois lawsuit was filed on April 8, 2009, on behalf of 42 people who allege that they suffered severe pain and required additional medical treatment as a result of a hip replacement failure caused by the defective Zimmer Durom Cup.
The Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit, which was filed in the St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleges that Zimmer failed to conduct adequate testing of their Durom Cup system before allowing doctors to implant the device in patients and failed to warn about the high risk that the components may fail, causing painful and debilitating injury.
The Zimmer Durom Cup was first introduced in the United States in 2006, as a more advanced form of an artificial hip. The hip resurfacing system is designed out of a single piece of material and is designed to avoid problems associated with traditional hip replacement components, such as instability, limited range of motion and wear of the bearing.
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Learn MoreHowever, in April 2008, concerns emerged about a high number of Zimmer hip replacement failures involving the Durom Cup, where the component loosened and required revision surgery.
After initially dismissing the complaints and suggesting that the surgeons were at fault for the failures, Zimmer issued a Durom Cup recall in July 2008. They suspended sales of the product until revisions could be made to the warning label and additional training and instructions could be developed for surgeons about the special surgical techniques needed to reduce the risk of problems.
Approximately 12,000 patients had the Zimmer Durom Cup system implanted between 2006 and 2008, before these issues were addressed. According to Zimmer’s own estimates, some doctors have experienced failure rates as high as 5.7%, and experts have suggested that the rate of hip replacement cup loosenings could increase as time passes after the surgery.
All 42 of the plaintiffs who filed the Zimmer Durom hip lawsuit in Illinois allege that they experienced cup failures during the months following their routine hip replacements, leaving them in constant pain and requiring additional medical treatments and surgeries.
The complaint alleges that Zimmer placed thousands of patients at risk of serious injury, anxiety, medical problems or even death.
In January 2009, Zimmer Holdings, Inc. indicated during a fourth-quarter earnings report that at least $69 million has already been set aside in reserves to cover payments for potential Zimmer Durom hip replacement lawsuit verdicts and settlements that they may need to pay to patients.
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14 Comments
ElizabethApril 19, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I have had a double revision on my left hip. My first implant in 2000 was with a Sulzer which was recalled. I had revision surgery in 2001 this time with a Zimmer implant. Since that time, I've had 2 dislocations, the 1st in 2005, the next in 2007, I have a dull pain & continue to walk with a cane since the surgery left me with bad balance & a leg discrepancy. Should I be concerned? [Show More]I have had a double revision on my left hip. My first implant in 2000 was with a Sulzer which was recalled. I had revision surgery in 2001 this time with a Zimmer implant. Since that time, I've had 2 dislocations, the 1st in 2005, the next in 2007, I have a dull pain & continue to walk with a cane since the surgery left me with bad balance & a leg discrepancy. Should I be concerned? My orthopedic surgeon has told me that if this dislocates again, the next implant would have to be cemented in, Not too much to look forward to,
PhyllisApril 2, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I had total hip replacement done on Feb 23, 2012 i have a lot of pain in the groin area and my right hip is almost a inch longer then the left hip now, and I was told by the surgeon that it is normal and it will take time, I'm a little concerned now I want to walk normal like everyone else that's why i got the surgery in the first place hope this all works out for me.
sharon on April 11 2011April 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I had my right hip done in Jan 2010 and 2 screw.s to hold it in place to an it still give's me a lot of pain all down my right leg and when i sit my butt hurt's. I can't drive a long time no more then a hour now they say i have Burcitis and had to get a Cortison Shot in my hip, Now back on Pain Med's and Pain Pacth 12 Hour on and 12 Hour off i quest i will just have to live like this i [Show More]I had my right hip done in Jan 2010 and 2 screw.s to hold it in place to an it still give's me a lot of pain all down my right leg and when i sit my butt hurt's. I can't drive a long time no more then a hour now they say i have Burcitis and had to get a Cortison Shot in my hip, Now back on Pain Med's and Pain Pacth 12 Hour on and 12 Hour off i quest i will just have to live like this i should have ask is there any tye of Hipreplacement beside Zimmerman
GloriaApril 7, 2011 at 11:18 pm
I had a hipreplacement in may of 2010 than I had to have another one in june of 2010 it was two weeks a part and I believe that it was something wrong with it even that it was a mealed on plast hipreplacement I steel think it was something wrong I need help with this case.
wilburMarch 6, 2011 at 7:25 pm
I had both hips replaced the R 12/19/07 and the L 01/26/08 with in a year I started having pain in both hips and it has gotten worse sence then
JosephFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:54 pm
I had my left hip replaced on dec. 2005 and have been on pain meds since, It makes it difficult to go to work somtimes!
LeonardFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:34 am
I have had both hips replaced with Zimmer prosthetic hips. The procedure was done in 2004 and 2005. I have had problems since with severe testicular pain. There has been no diagnosis that can explain this other than the possibility of malfunctioning hip replacements. I am looking for any legal help to remedy this situation and/or gain information regarding the recall and what steps I should tak[Show More]I have had both hips replaced with Zimmer prosthetic hips. The procedure was done in 2004 and 2005. I have had problems since with severe testicular pain. There has been no diagnosis that can explain this other than the possibility of malfunctioning hip replacements. I am looking for any legal help to remedy this situation and/or gain information regarding the recall and what steps I should take. The pain has greatly decreased my quality of life. Currently, I am on the third round of antibiotics to treat any underlying infection and on constant pain medications which could be habit forming.
PatriciaJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Three and a half years ago I fell, and broke my right hip. The Dr. at that time said pins would probably work to hold the bones in place. They didn't. So they came out and a prostheses went in. Seven months ago. I couldn't stand up on that right leg, found out there was massive bacterial infection in that hip. The existing prosthesis came out, and I was in bed for almost six weeks with nothin[Show More]Three and a half years ago I fell, and broke my right hip. The Dr. at that time said pins would probably work to hold the bones in place. They didn't. So they came out and a prostheses went in. Seven months ago. I couldn't stand up on that right leg, found out there was massive bacterial infection in that hip. The existing prosthesis came out, and I was in bed for almost six weeks with nothing while I was on IV antibiotic therapy. I found out the old prostheses was a Zimmer brand, contacted some lawyers, but have yet to find someone to help me. I have had another prosthesis put in , with extensive modification, and I walk well enough with only, now, moderate pain. I will probably limp always now, but at least I'm not in a wheelchair. At 68 years of age, this entire ordeal happening in the course of four years has talen a huge toll on me mentally.
RonNovember 13, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I was injured in Aug of 2006, after a hip scope and then a pain full decompression surgery on my right hip my one remaining option was a total hip replacement which was performed in 2008. Since that time I have had constant pain in the groin and surgery site and upper leg. I kept trying to work through the pain. I recently found that I may have to have a hip revision. After 4 years of pain I am n[Show More]I was injured in Aug of 2006, after a hip scope and then a pain full decompression surgery on my right hip my one remaining option was a total hip replacement which was performed in 2008. Since that time I have had constant pain in the groin and surgery site and upper leg. I kept trying to work through the pain. I recently found that I may have to have a hip revision. After 4 years of pain I am not a happy camper. Perhaps the revision will work. My heart and prayers go out to each of you; I feel your pain and know the impact these implants have on you and your families. Let’s hope they can come up with a solution that will help all of us.
cherylNovember 7, 2010 at 9:51 pm
my father also had hip replacement in 2006 and has been in pain every since. i have tried to get help but none has been sought. i now have an xray from a check-up about a month ago, and it shows where a bone has been sticking out if the replacement since surgery, which may be caising his pain, he also says it feels like something rubbing against his bones all the time, the doctor who did this su[Show More]my father also had hip replacement in 2006 and has been in pain every since. i have tried to get help but none has been sought. i now have an xray from a check-up about a month ago, and it shows where a bone has been sticking out if the replacement since surgery, which may be caising his pain, he also says it feels like something rubbing against his bones all the time, the doctor who did this surgery will not even see him without full payment before any office visit.
joeOctober 2, 2010 at 5:13 pm
i had both hips replaced right is 6 years old, left is 4 years old. my right hip has squeaked, slipped, and popped since the first year. i cant carry 20 lbs out in front of me without it feeling like its going to pop out of socket. im only 43 years old. depressing ! what to do ?
BrianJune 24, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I had both hips replacements done in the last year and a half. I would have thought with two full zimmer hip replacements you get the free ten inch (with spring loaded bass) center peice upgrade. :O Yuk Yuk Yuk Suck up a little pain and be glad your not in a wheel chair. These doctors and prostetic designers need our full "Thank you". Nothings perfect. Thank you Mercy Hospital and Dr William Hal[Show More]I had both hips replacements done in the last year and a half. I would have thought with two full zimmer hip replacements you get the free ten inch (with spring loaded bass) center peice upgrade. :O Yuk Yuk Yuk Suck up a little pain and be glad your not in a wheel chair. These doctors and prostetic designers need our full "Thank you". Nothings perfect. Thank you Mercy Hospital and Dr William Hale for a job well done.
odarrellAugust 25, 2009 at 4:04 am
I had a right hip replacement a year and a half ago at pres st luke in chicago. I continue to have a soreness in the grion area. my doctor recommend a cortisone shot for possible bursitis. I wonder if this is necessary or is the hardware at fault .
MICHAELMay 25, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I had (2) hip replacements through the VA Hospital in Durham N.C one replacement was in 2001 and the other was 2005. I don't know if zimmerman was used, but I have had some problems with pain still. I would like to know how to find out what type was used on me. I was voluntarily asked in 2008,if I was experiencing problems. I got a checkup, and coomplained,but was told it was okay. I still have p[Show More]I had (2) hip replacements through the VA Hospital in Durham N.C one replacement was in 2001 and the other was 2005. I don't know if zimmerman was used, but I have had some problems with pain still. I would like to know how to find out what type was used on me. I was voluntarily asked in 2008,if I was experiencing problems. I got a checkup, and coomplained,but was told it was okay. I still have pain.