You have likely heard of the problems associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements. In February 2011, we blogged about the FDA concerns over metal-on-metal hips. As metal against metal wears, there is debris that causes tissue damage and loosening of the prosthesis -- many years before it would be expected to occur.
According to an article in the New York Times, the problems with metal-on-metal hips have created a financial frenzy. Complaints and lawsuits are stacking up. Insurers and Medicare reportedly want to recoup their payouts for the failed surgeries, too.
Simply put, this is a mess. You've got patients who will need revision surgery, lawyers suing doctors and the companies who made the hips, and insurers who plan to get their money back from settlements patients will receive. There are no statistics on how many metal-on-metal hips have failed in the U.S. either. There are only projections.
Related Articles:
- FDA Expresses Concern About Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements
- Hip Replacements Can Loosen
- Joint Replacement: When Is the Right Time? (Quiz)
- More About Hip Replacement
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