CINCINNATI SULZER ORTHOPEDICS – HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENTS LAWYERS

Several thousand artificial hip joint replacements were recalled by Sulzer Orthopedics, a Texas subsidiary of Sulzer Medica, because of contamination with a mineral oil-based substance. This oil was not removed in the cleaning process of the prosthesis, and doctors were not aware that the oil would interfere with the body’s acceptance of the artificial hip joint.

This oil prevented attachment of the patient’s bone to the implant. The defect caused severe groin and thigh pain in patients, and prevented the new hip socket from performing as designed. The oil also promoted slippage and looseness in the newly implanted joint, making it difficult, painful and nearly impossible for patients to complete rehabilitation.

Over 17,000 patients have Sulzer implants which need to be replaced. The suspect implants were manufactured during and after the month of October, 1999. If you or someone you know has had hip replacement surgery, don’t panic until you can speak to your doctor and find out if the prosthesis was affected.

Sulzer has been criticized for not removing the suspect hip replacement joints from distribution sooner. Surgeons reported patient difficulty and pain with the Sulzer implant as early as September, 2000, but Sulzer waited nearly a year to take the products off the market. Sulzer first conducted a lengthy inspection of patient records, surgical procedures and the artificial joints in question, before ordering the recall.

Recently, a new problem has surfaced with Sulzer artificial knee parts. Although Sulzer has withdrawn the prosthesis from availability for total knee replacement surgery as of March, no recall has been issued.

The manufacturer cited problems with the tibia base plate in a letter dated May 17, and warned of "unanticipated adverse clinical outcomes associated with a limited number" of the knee parts. Far fewer patients have received Sulzer’s artificial knee compared with the hip replacement parts. (1300 compared to over 17,000)

The Cincinnati law firm of O’Connor Acciani & Levy Co., LPA is now accepting cases involving Sulzer Orthopedics hip and knee implants. Our personal injury attorneys are working with several patients with complaints against Sulzer Orthopedics.

If you have a Sulzer implant and have not done so already, we advise you to seek medical attention, especially in the event of knee or hip pain. Contact one of our experienced personal injury lawyers at O’Connor Acciani & Levy Co., LPA for more information about your rights.

p>Our consultation is FREE, and you are under no obligation to pursue a case. Our attorneys offer experience in manufacturing defect claims, product liability and litigation. Call us today for a FREE evaluation of your defective product and personal injury case at 513-241-7111 or contact us by email.

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