Wright hip replacement problems are rare, but when they do occur, they can be quite serious. In 2014, the FDA reported that about 1% of all total hip replacements failed within five years, meaning that if you have a Wright hip replacement, you should expect to undergo revision surgery after five years.

Did you receive a hip replacement device that has led to severe pain, discomfort, blood poisoning, or metal toxicity affecting the surgical site or surrounding tissue? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are legal advocates for individuals receiving defective hip implant products.

Contact our defective medical devices lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team concerning your Wright hip replacement lawsuit remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

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Total Hip Replacement Devices

The Wright Conserve hip implant is one of the most popular implants designed to help arthritis pain in osteoporosis patients. But many people have suffered serious complications following surgery and some of those affected are suing the manufacturer of the device.

According to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, about 30 million Americans suffer from arthritis. And nearly 2.5 million of those people require total joint replacement surgeries each year.

One of the most common devices used to replace hips and knees is the Wright Conserve hip implant. Wright Medical Group makes this total resurfacing hip system device.

But according to the Food and Drug Administration, there are numerous reports of patients having problems with the device. These include fractures, infections, bone loss, nerve damage, blood clots, and even death.

The FDA received over 50 malpractice complaints against Wright Medical Group about the Wright Conserve hip implant.

Design Defects: Wright Conserve Hip Implant Litigation Status

This litigation is a class action lawsuit against Wright Medical Technology Inc., its parent company, Smith & Neopny PLC, and related companies. In July 2013, the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation consolidated all cases involving Wright Conserve hip implant products into one federal court in Florida.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ruled that there was enough evidence to show that the defendants had engaged in fraudulent conduct.

In December 2016, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida for pretrial proceedings. On January 27, 2017, the Judicial Panel on MDL approved the parties’ proposed settlement agreement.

As part of the settlement, the defendants agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve all claims brought by the plaintiffs. They also agreed to provide free implants to eligible claimants and cover all medical expenses.

The settlement agreement provides for payment of up to $100 million in cash to certain individuals and businesses, up to $200 million in cash to certain healthcare providers, and up to $500 million in cash to certain insurance carriers.

Study: Wright Conserve Hip Implants High Failure Rate

Wright Medical Technology Inc., a maker of Wright hip implants, recalled nearly 2 million of its Wright Conserve artificial hips after learning that many patients needed revisions within five years.

The voluntary recall came just four months after the Food and Drug Administration approved Wright Conserve hip implant products (modular neck metal on metal versions) for use in the United States. The Wright Conserve hip implant is designed to mimic the natural movement of a human hip joint.

The Need for Revision Surgery

The Wright Conserve Total Hip System was implanted in more than 50,000 people worldwide. In the United States, it was used in more than 30,000 procedures. Most of those devices still work fine, but early device failure was detected during the research period.

Patients who received the Wright Conserves had an increased risk of requiring a second surgery to replace the implant. It occurred even though the Wright Conserve was associated with lower dislocation and infection rates than other artificial hips.

In May 2013, Wright announced that it would stop selling the Conserve Total Hip System product because of concerns about its durability. At that time, there were no filed lawsuits against the company.

There were no reports of fractures or dislocations among patients who had been implanted with the Wright Conserve during this time period.

Problems with Wright Conserve Hip Replacements

Wright Medical Technologies Inc., makers of the Conserve hip replacement system, recalled about 2,500 units of the product due to early failure and other problems with the metal ball stem component.

The FDA received reports of more than 200 adverse events related to the device from patients who experienced pain. These included infections, dislocation, fracture, loosening of components, metal poisoning, tissue death, nervous system damage, and death.

Patients with the Conserve hip implant reported experiencing pain and discomfort following surgery. They experienced difficulty walking, climbing stairs, and getting into bed. Some of those affected required revision surgery due to metal toxicity and free-floating metal particles.

Wright Hip Replacements: Medical Lineage and Dynasty Hip Bone Devices

The Wright Medical Group announced the launch of the Wright Medical Lineage and Dynasty hip replacements, which offer improved performance and durability compared to previous generations of devices.

These femoral hip surface replacement products are designed to help meet the needs of younger patients who require total joint replacement surgery.

Metal-on-ceramic devices are used in the femoral head component of the device. This material provides superior wear resistance over traditional polyethylene when implanted in soft tissue. The ceramic surface allows for smoother articulation and less friction during motion.

Metal-on-metals are used in the acetabular cup component of the device. Metal-on-metal bearings are highly stable and durable, providing excellent long-term performance. They also can provide lower rates of dislocation due to their increased strength.

Wright Hips: Metallosis Symptoms and Complications

Metallosis is a rare complication caused by metal debris from hip replacements. This type of implant is composed of metal and metal alloy. It is usually used to replace damaged joints such as hips, knees, and shoulders.

These hip implant devices are very popular because they are considered safer than traditional joint replacement surgery. However, there are some risks associated with this procedure.

The most common symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, stiffness, tenderness, and decreased range of motion. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

You could develop severe complications, including infection, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, kidney failure, lung disease, dementia, hearing problems, skin ulcers, and death.

Wright Settles Lawsuits Over Faulty Hip Replacements

The medical device maker Johnson & Johnson paid $1 billion in the first settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits over faulty hip replacements. The settlements include claims involving metal-on-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and ceramic-on-ceramic implants.

J&J expects to pay another $3 billion in legal costs associated with new Wright hip replacement lawsuits and final settlement payments.

In 2017, Wright settled nearly $1.5 billion of cases related to faulty hip replacement devices and the need for revision surgery.

The company agreed to pay $1.2 billion to resolve similar allegations regarding metal-on-metal hip implants (titanium alloy and other metals).

Another $500 million went toward resolving new lawsuits concerning ceramic-on-ceramics.

Approximately 2,000 people filed lawsuits against Wright after receiving defective Conserve hip devices. The company estimates that the total value of the settlements will exceed $270 million.

Wright Hip Replacement Lawsuit FAQs

Did you suffer medical problems after receiving a hip implant? Our experienced attorneys at our law offices have answered the pertinent questions below.

What are metal-on-metal hip replacements?

Metal-on-metal hip replacement surgery involves replacing the ball and socket joints in the hip with artificial joints made of different materials. These include ceramic-on-ceramic, polyethylene, and metal-on-metal.

Metal-on-metal hip implant devices use two types of metal — cobalt chrome and chromium molybdenum. Cobalt chrome is the most common type, while chromium molybdate is less commonly used.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A surgeon makes an incision over the hip region. He removes the damaged cartilage and bone tissue around the hip joint. Then he replaces it with prosthetic parts. After the operation, the patient usually spends several days recovering in the hospital.

While metal-on-metal implants cost more than other types, they are considered safer because they don’t require cementing. It reduces the risk of dislocation, loosening, infection, and pain. However, some surgeons prefer other types of implants.

Are defective metal-on-metal replacements dangerous?

Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants are one of today’s most common orthopedic procedures. However, there are risks involved with metal-on-metal components, and some patients have to undergo revision surgery because of complications such as pain, infection, and loosening.

The FDA recently warned against using MoM implants because they might cause serious health problems. The agency reported that it received reports of over 2,500 cases of adverse events related to MoM devices.

Medical complications included deaths, injuries, and conditions such as blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and neurological issues.

Which Wright implants were recalled?

The Wright Conserve hip replacement implant had already been recalled due to increased infections. The Wright Lineage implant and the Wright Heritage implant are also being recalled. Both implants are used to help people with hearing loss.

The company says the recall affects about 4,500 patients and that the Wright Medical hip replacements could cause serious health problems.

In addition, the company says that some of the affected hip implants contain a dangerous nickel material. The company is offering free replacements for those affected.

Are Wright’s medical metal-on-metal hip blamed for potential hazards and severe pain?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned healthcare providers about the potential hazards of metal-on-metal hip replacement products earlier this month. In a letter to doctors, the agency reported receiving over 4,000 complaints about metal-on-metal hip replacement devices manufactured by Wright Medical.

What are the medical complications of a defective hip replacement device?

According to the FDA, some hip replacement patients experience pain, swelling, inflammation, and joint dislocation. One patient reportedly suffered a fracture of her femur, while another lost his leg due to infection.

More than 4,000 people have filed Wright hip replacement lawsuits, alleging faulty hip replacements. They claim that the company failed to provide adequate instructions with the total resurfacing hip system and warnings about the dangers of its metal-on-metal devices.

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Resolve a Hip Replacement Lawsuit

Did you suffer serious complications after receiving a hip implant that required revision surgery? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help.

Call an experienced attorney today at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your Wright hip replacement lawsuit.

Wright Hip Replacement Lawsuit