1 / 50

113 East 37 th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-1880 or (800) 349-0004 www.Rheingoldlaw.com

113 East 37 th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-1880 or (800) 349-0004 www.Rheingoldlaw.com. Metal-on-metal hip IMPLANTs. The history, development, design, and current health concerns of metal-on-metal hip implants & Courts, trials, verdicts and settlements .

kalona
Download Presentation

113 East 37 th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-1880 or (800) 349-0004 www.Rheingoldlaw.com

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. 113 East 37th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-1880 or (800) 349-0004 www.Rheingoldlaw.com

  2. Metal-on-metal hip IMPLANTs The history, development, design, and current health concerns of metal-on-metal hip implants & Courts, trials, verdicts and settlements Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  3. Hip Failure Epidemic Metal-on-Metal • DePuy ASR • DePuy Pinnacle • Wright Dynasty • Wright Conserve • Biomet Magnum 38 & M2a • Zimmer Durom Cup • Smith & Nephew R3 Failed Metal Taper/Stem Systems • Wright Profemur • Stryker Rejuvenate • Stryker ABG II • Stryker Accolade Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  4. Reasons For Hip Implants • Arthritis • Trauma • Avascular necrosis • Damaged or diseased bone in hip joint • Help the joint work better • Improve walking • Relieve pain Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  5. First Successful Hip Implants Invented By Sir John Charnley Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  6. History of metal-on-metal implants • Starting in 1880, doctors attempted to create hip implants but were unsuccessful • 1950’s: McKee from Britain, and later Herbert from France, first generation metal on metal bearing used; mostly abandoned due to excessive wear and metal particles release causing metallosis • Dr. John Charnley, a renowned British orthopedic surgeon, created the first successful series of implantations of the total hip prosthesis in 1962 Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  7. History of metal-on-metal implants (Cont’d) • The initial prosthesis consisted of a teflonacetabular cup, later replaced by high-density polyethylene and a stainless steel monoblock femoral component • The Charnley prosthesis was the most successful and became a “gold standard” for hip replacement (still used in modified versions) Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  8. History of metal-on-metal implants (cont’d) • Total Hip Replacements “THR” • First generation: • 1970’s • high failure rate • Second generation: • 1980’s to present- 1% per year failure • Stainless steel, nickel, cobalt/chromium, titanium • 2006: Resurfacing Implant (does not have femoral ball/neck) • FDA approval: Premarket Approval (PMA) or 510k “substantial equivalence” Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  9. Why use metal-on-metal implants? • Medical device companies claimed they would last longer than polyethylene and ceramic • Larger size would reduce dislocations • Younger, more active populations Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  10. Signs of Failing Implant • Pain in the buttock, groin, and/or thigh • Elevated levels of cobalt or chromium in the blood • Soft tissue studies (Sonogram or MRI) showing fluid, pseudotumor, or infection • Squeaking • Dislocation of the hip • X-Rays showing loose hardware Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  11. Blood tests for cobalt and chromium ions • Pre 2012 used: • 0 to 5 ug/L= “normal” • 5 to 10 ug/L= concern • 10 to 15 ug/L= consider revision + post-revision tests • Some patients in the 100+ range! • Post 2012: doctors concerned about even lower levels when associated with pain, abnormal x-rays, or abnormal scans/sonograms • Urine tests also available Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  12. High Levels of cobalt/chromium ions • Tissue damage • Infection • Cardiomyopathy • Neurological symptoms • Hearing, eyesight • Chromium known to be genotoxic since 1890 (not a typo!) • Potential for cancer due to cellular DNA mutations • No device companies monitored this Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  13. FDA Action on May 6, 2011 • FDA issues 145 orders for post-market surveillance studies to 21 manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip systems • Manufacturers were required to submit a study plan to the FDA that addressed specific safety issues related to these devices • Must include failure rates of implants Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  14. FDA Holds Panel on M-o-M Hips June 27, 2012 • FDA asks panel to suggest how to study this problem, leading industry experts discuss safety and effectiveness of M-o-M hips, issues long report • Patients express concern • Panel’s chair tells media he would not use these in his practice going anymore because he sees too many risks and no benefit Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  15. FDA Safety Communication January 17, 2013 • New “Proposed Order” • Change 510k to premarket approval • Comments submitted through April 18, 2013 • Final order to be issued • 90 days after order, becomes a PMA device and will most likely permanently end sales Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  16. FDA Recommendations for M-o-m Patients • Do testing to determine if there is: • adverse local tissue reaction “ALTR” • adverse reaction to metal debris “ARMD” • X-ray, scans, soft tissue sonograms • Blood tests for cobalt and chromium • Special attention: bilateral, females, bad alignment, overweight, high level physical activity Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  17. Prior hip implant Litigation • Sulzer hip implant • 2002 • Recalled in 2000 for machinery oil on hardware • Stryker Trilogy (Pre-Market Approval) • 2008 • Ceramic on ceramic squeaking Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  18. Zimmer durOm cup litigation • MDL in Newark, NJ: Judge Arleo – most cases already settled through mediation • July 22, 2008: recall for loosening acetabular cups (new implanting instructions) • Cup rim design prevents bony in-growth • Now seeing metallosis cases Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  19. $8.3 Million Trial Verdict against Depuy • Leon Kransky,65 y.o., trial in Los Angeles. DePuy ASR implanted in 2007, revised 2012. “Preference” trial due to cancer • March 2013 verdict for revision patient • $330,000 for medical bills and expenses • $8 million for past and future pain and suffering . No punitive damages. Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  20. Glynn Trial: Loss by plaintiffApril 2013 • Illinois • First Illinois state trial (more to come) • Cook County, Judge Dooling • 54 year old nurse implanted with ASR in 2008, revision in 2011 • DePuy used “individual biology” defense: • many pre-existing problems • implanting surgeon is one who decides Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  21. Federal Multidistrict TrialSeptember 2013, Judge Katz • Faye Dorney-Magditz, in her 50’s • 2009 insertion - “late insertion”- Punitive damages? • Revision due to pain and high metal levels • Doing well after revision Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  22. Revision SURGERY • Decision made with surgeon • Replace one or more of the following: stem, ball, neck • Remove scar tissue, excess fluid, dead tissue, metal shreds • If infection, place antibiotic spacer for 6 weeks Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  23. Preserving HIP IMPLANT Revision Evidence • Hospital to retain hardware? Patient? Litigation depository? • Photographs taken by surgeon • Pathology specimens Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  24. Revision SURGERY OUTCOMES:the good, the bad, and the ugly • Approximately 10% of revision surgeries have some type of complication requiring further surgery within 1 year • Infection • Dislocations (poor muscle strength) • Only minor relief of pain due to very compromised bone or soft tissue • Significant movement limitations • Stress on back, hips, knees, feet • Hip implant longevity decreases Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  25. Do I have a claim? • Have you had an implant revision? • Reason for revision: failure due to defect? • Can you identify the manufacturer of the implant? • Pain & suffering- past/future • Permanent disability • Loss of income • Time limits to file suit – NY 3 years • Best court for you • Not suing doctors Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  26. WHAT MONEY DAMAGESARE PART OF A CLAIM? • Past pain and suffering • Future pain and suffering • Unpaid past/future medical bills • Past/future lost earnings • Lost earning capacity • “Out of pocket” expenses • Lost retirement benefits • Punitive damages (…threat of…) Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  27. broadspire “claim” services • Private company hired by DePuy and Stryker • Allegedly provides reimbursement for medical bills, lost income, associated “out of pocket” expenses • Obtains complete access to your medical records • Close relationship with some orthopedic surgeons Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  28. HOW WILL DEVICE COMPANY ATTACK MY claim? Focus Groups • Our implants may have had some problems, but not in your case • Surgeon did not implant it correctly • You weren’t a proper candidate • Your “individual biology” does not make you a good implant candidate (but never told doctors that!) Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  29. HOW WILL DEVICE MANUFACTURER ATTACK MY claim? (Cont’d) • You did not have any complaints until you heard of the recall or saw an attorney ad • There is no microscopic evidence of abnormal wear on the removed hardware • You don’t have the removed hardware and can’t support your failure allegations • The revision surgeon did not mention any metallosis conditions in the surgical report Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  30. HOW WILL DEVICE MANUFACTURER ATTACK MY claim? (Cont’d) • Your implant was put in before we knew about the problems • You waited too long to file suit (statue of limitations) • Your implant failure was caused by the pre-existing medical conditions you have • Your surgeon won’t say there was a problem Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  31. DePuy (JOHNSON & JOHNSON):ASR and Pinnacle MODELS Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  32. Depuy asr xl • “Monoblock” design: all matching cobalt/chromium cup/stem/ball • Large size options • Poor rim design, shallow cup Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  33. Depuy asr recalls • 2007 “smoking gun” PowerPoint • 2008-2009 DePuy internally decides to phase out ASR line while still promoting sales and defending failures – blames doctors • 2009 DePuy voluntarily recalls ASR in Australia • August 2010 worldwide voluntary recall Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  34. ASR’s Failure rate • Scientific literature: • At recall (August 2010): Data showed eight to twelve percent increased risk of revisions within five years • July 2011: Data shows 25% increased risk of failure in the ASR resurfacing hip and 49% increased risk of failure in the ASR THR within six years • Australian Implant Registry 2012 data expects 44% revision rate at 7 years Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  35. Asr Litigation Update • Federal court multidistrict litigation (MDL) • Judge David R. Katz, N.D. Ohio • Trials set in Fall 2013 • California and Illinois state court consolidated litigation • New Jersey state court consolidated litigation: Judge Martinotti, Bergen Co., NJ • Trials set in September and November Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  36. DePuy Pinnacle M-o-M Hips Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  37. Pinnacle-Specific Components • Modular hip replacement • Outer shell • Inner liner • Femoral head • Femoral stem • Screws Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  38. Types of Pinnacle Liners • Ultamet (metal) • AltrX (polyethylene) • Marathon (polyethylene) Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  39. Status of pinnacle Litigation • MDL: Northern District of Texas • Over 2,500 cases filed in MDL :September 1, 2014 first trial • California consolidated litigation • In May 2013 DePuy announces that the M-o-M Pinnacle line will be discontinued Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  40. Wright Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  41. Four Types of Wright Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants • Conserve Total Hip System • Conserve Plus Total Resurfacing Hip System • Lineage Acetabular Cup System • Dynasty Acetabular Cup System Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  42. Wright Profemur Modular Neck Fractures • Catastrophic failure of the implant • Modular neck fractures involve defects and injuries that are distinct • Stem is often paired with a Conserve or Dynasty acetabular cup • Cases involving modular neck fractures are excluded from both federal and California coordinated proceedings • Must litigate with individual suit Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  43. Wright, MDL No. 2329 • MDL: Atlanta, Georgia • Judge William S. Duffey, Jr. • Metal-on-metal cases related to Conserve product line only Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  44. Wright, JCCP No. 4710(California) • In re Wright Hip Sys. Cases, JCCP 4710, Super. Ct. Cal., L.A. • Judge Jane L. Johnson • All Wright metal-on-metal hip implants including those from the Conserve, Dynasty, and Lineage product lines Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  45. Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hips Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  46. Product Overview • Manufactured by Howmedica in Mawah, NJ • Modular design promoted as non metal-on-metal after ASR recall • Titanium stem • Cobalt/chromium neck • Polyethylene ball • Metal cup Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  47. Recalls for strykerrejuvanate and abg II • Canadian recall • May 28, 2012 • Rejuvenate only, not ABG II • American recall • July 4, 2012 • No plan to pay for revision surgeries Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  48. Stryker rejuvenate and abg IILITIGATION • Consolidated litigation: Judge Martinotti, Bergen Co., NJ • Exploring possible mediation program Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  49. BIOMET MAGNUM 38 & M2a LITIGATION • Consolidated litigation: Judge Miller, Northern District of Indiana, MDL 2391 • No trial dates set – maybe 2015 Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

  50. 113 East 37th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 684-1880 www.Rheingoldlaw.com Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP

More Related