Zimmer Durom Hip Defect Information

Zimmer Durom Hip Defect

Failure and Defect of the Zimmer Durom Hip Replacement System Cup

» See related New York Times Article, July 24, 2008

On July 24, 2008, Zimmer Holdings, the nation's largest producer of orthopedic devices, announced the suspension of sales of its artificial hip replacement component, the Durom Cup. Zimmer has marketed its Durom Hip Resurfacing System as designed for use in young, active patients who are likely to outlive a conventional hip prosthesis.

Surgeons throughout the United States have complained that the Durom cup was defective, reporting a higher rate of failure and loosening of the Durom Cup. Zimmer, however, denies the Durom hip implant is defective, instead claiming surgeons have failed to implant the device properly.

However, a highly respected orthopedic researcher, surgeon, and director of the Dorr Institute for Arthritis Research and Education, Larry Dorr, MD, has found that 14 of the 165 Durom hip systems implanted at his clinic needed to be surgically revised within two years of implantation. In an April 22, 2008, letter to his colleagues at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, Dr. Dorr wrote:

This failure rate has occurred within the first two years. In the first year the x-rays looked perfect. We have revised four that did not have any radiolucent lines or migration (and John Moreland revised one). These early cups fooled us, but the symptoms were so classic for a loose implant that we operated the patients. When we hit on the edge of the cup it would just pop free. As time goes by the cups begin developing radiolucent lines. We now have one cup at two years that has actually migrated a short distance. It has tilted into varus. We do not believe the fixation surface is good on these cups. Also there is a circular cutting surface on the periphery of the cup that we believe prevents the cup from fully seating. We stopped using the cup after the first revisions.

Dr. Dorr also wrote that he was taking the very unusual step of sending this letter as Zimmer was unwilling to pull the device from the market when shown the rate of failure. He cites the last mass hip replacement failure involving a Sulzer hip replacement system stating: "I can assure you that this goes beyond technique. I learned my lesson in not informing everyone about this magnitude of failures with the Sulzer cup problem, so it is my obligation to do so with this cup."

According to reports in the New York Times, the Durom Cup has only been available for two years. Since 2006, more than 12,000 individuals have had the Durom artificial hip component implanted in their bodies. Patients who underwent hip replacement surgery and who may be affected by the potential Durom Cup recall should speak with their physician immediately to reduce the risk of harm due to the Durom hip socket failure.

If you believe your Zimmer Durom Hip Resurfacing Cup failed because it was defective, the trial lawyers of the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will be glad to review your medical records -- the orthopedic surgeon's office chart, the operative reports for the original joint replacement surgery and the revision surgery, and the device record for the original surgery from the hospital chart (this shows the product and lot numbers of the components of the device) -- to determine if there are sufficient grounds for us to pursue litigation against the manufacturer on your behalf. We would also like to have the Durom Hip Resurfacing Cup. Therefore, it is essential that you get possession of the Durom Cup as soon as it is removed.