Zimmer Hip Implant Attorneys

Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is a type of surgical procedure in which a patient’s hip joint is resurfaced and replaced with an artificial implant. Also known as hip arthroplasty, it is typically used to repair severe joint/bone damage or to treat arthritis pain in the hip joint area. Once fairly uncommon, hip joint replacement surgery is now performed at 250,000 times a year – if not more – in the United States alone.

Because the human hip joint uses a “ball-and-socket” structure, hip replacement surgery consists of two tasks:

• Replacing the end of the femur, or thighbone, with an artificial “ball,” typically made of metal or stainless steel.
• Resurfacing the hip socket using a metal shell and plastic liner, into which the ball attached to the femur will fit.

The components of the implant are securely attached to the patient’s existing bone structure. This may be done using screws or bone cement. Some surgeons prefer to use a porous coating which allows the bone to bond with the implant over time, creating a permanent seal.

Hip replacement surgery is neither quick, nor easy, nor cheap. It is a complicated, lengthy procedure which can cost upwards of $30,000 to $40,000.

Zimmer Durom Cup Implants: What Went Wrong?

The Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement was designed for use in younger, active patients and was expected to last at least 15-20 years. Many patients, however, were back at the doctor’s office within months, complaining of intense pain in their hip and back. X-rays showed that, instead of bonding with the bone structure, the Zimmer Durom Cup implant often separated from it and caused excruciating pain by rubbing against bone.

If you or someone your love has been implanted with a faulty Zimmer Durom Cup implant, you know firsthand the amount of pain and suffering involved. To make matters worse, you may need to undergo another round of surgery to repair the problem – that means more lost wages, more medical bills, and more trips to and from the hospital.

Zimmer hip implant attorneys Pulaski & Middleman can help you seek compensation from Zimmer Holdings, the company that manufactured these defective devices. If you are suffering from severe pain and high medical bills, call our offices at 800-223-3784 for a free initial consultation.