Osteolysis, also known as periprosthetic osteolysis, is the loss of bone around the hip replacement. It is the body's attempt to clean up particle debris that can be produced by metal-on-metal hip implants and occurs when the body recognizes the debris as foreign, and reacts to remove it.
Multiple metal-on-metal hip replacement systems have been linked to patients suffering from periprosthetic osteolysis, including those manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, Stryker, Zimmer Holdings, Wright Medical Technology, Biomet, and Smith & Nephew. At the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, our Michigan hip recall lawsuit attorneys are currently accepting cases for patients suffering osteolysis from a hip implant.
There are several complications associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements; however osteoylsis is in fact one of the most common long-term complication linked to these medical devices, and has been named as cause of nearly 75% of all hip implant failures.
As mentioned above, osteolysis happens when the body recognizes the debris produced by the hip implant as foreign and reacts to clean it up, or remove the particles from the body. It's reaction to clean includes the releasing of cellular reactions into the hip area, including enzymes and cytokines. The body does this all in an attempt to either expel or dissolve the particle debris, but unfortunately it results in a chronic inflammatory condition to the patient.
In addition to cellular reactions, the body also releases cells called macrophages. These macrophages turn into bone reabsorption stimulators. Due to the fact that the body is continuously trying to clean up the particles and is constantly stimulated to reabsorb bone at the same time the defective hip replacement is releasing particle debris, the bone around the implant degrades and eventually the implant becomes loose and often time fails.
A hip replacement patient who suffers from osteoylsis after having a hip device implanted is at risk for serious resulting complications. Osteoylsis does not normally produce many symptoms besides difficulty or pain walking, however it does produce clear signs of resulting complications. In fact, overtime if a patient has osteolysis, the implant may slip out of its alignment and fail to perform properly causing the need for a second revision surgery. At the same time, this alignment shift can place additional pressure on the remaining bone in the area, which can than lead to possible fractures, infection, or inflammation that can be very painful.
Our Michigan hip replacement lawyers will represent you in your osteolysis hip implant case under our No Fee Promise. This means that you will not be charged any legal fees or costs whatsoever until we win or settle your case. You have absolutely no obligation for legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not obtain a settlement for you, you owe us nothing!
Do You Have a Michigan Osteolysis Hip Replacement Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one suffered serious complications, including osteolysis or periprosthetic osteolysis (bone loss around the implant) after getting a metal-on-metal hip replacement implanted there may be legal ground to pursue a Michigan hip replacement lawsuit.
There are strict statute of limitations for filing a defective medical device lawsuit. If you miss a deadline, your case will be lost forever. For more information about filing a hip replacement claim and to speak with a top rated Michigan hip replacement lawyer about your osteolysis case call our legal team now at (800) 606-1717. We will discuss your case with you and determine whether or not you can file a lawsuit.