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Exactech Hip Implant Lawsuit

Our Attorneys Explain the Exactech Hip Implant Recall 

To Learn More on the Exactech Knee Lawsuit, please go here.

Many patients have undergone total hip replacement surgery and, as a result, received Exactech Connexion GXL liners. Recent evidence suggests that these medical devices are deteriorating at a rate much faster than expected, causing additional pain and complications for patients. In order to protect your overall health – and your right to compensation– you should know the details and potential for defects of the Exactech Connexion GXL liner if you received one. Contact an Exactech hip implant recall lawyer at Searcy Denney today to learn whether this is a concern for you specifically.

 

What Devices are Typically Used in Hip Replacement Surgery?

The hip joint we are born with consists of a simple ball and socket. The ball is technically called the femoral head. The femoral head is located at the end of the long bone in your thigh called the femur. The femoral head sits inside a socket located in the hip bone or acetabulum. Both the socket and femoral head are covered in smooth cartilage. Muscles and soft tissues hold the ball in the socket. As we age, the cartilage wears away and the hip joint becomes arthritic. If it wears too much, bone begins to rub on bone and causes pain. 

Exactech hip replacement

To alleviate the pain, surgeons remove the diseased femoral head and place a metal stem into a hole that is made in the femur. On the end of the stem, a ball or femoral head is placed. On the opposite side of the joint, the arthritic bone is removed and a new socket is prepared. A metal cup is placed into the socket and a plastic liner is locked into the metal cup. Once all the parts are implanted, the femoral head is placed into the plastic cup forming a new hip joint. Once the arthritic tissues are removed and the artificial parts are in place, the patient should have no more pain.  

What Is the Exactech Connexion GXL Liner Hip Implant?

The Connexion GXL Liner is Exactech’s version of the plastic liner described above. It was commercially sold under the trade names, MCS, Novation and Acumatch. Once implanted, either a ceramic or metal femoral head articulates with the liner. It is supposedly made of super-strong, durable “ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene” plastic. It is specifically designed and intended to provide a smooth surface for the femoral head to rub against. Knowing there will be forces and friction applied to the liner as patients move about, the liner must be ultra-resistant to wear and degradation. If it is not, microscopic plastic wear debris can be released. 

What’s Wrong with the Exactech Connexion GXL Liner Hip Implants?

As discussed above, the liners appear to be degrading and deteriorating at a faster rate than had been anticipated, often requiring unnecessary, premature “revision,” or corrective, surgery. Research data has indicated that early wear may be attributed to significant design, manufacturing or packaging flaws in the device. When discovered, Exactech recalled all Connexion GXL liners and suggested surgeons follow patients in whom the device was implanted very closely to determine if their liner is deteriorating.

How Does the Defective GXL Liner Hurt the Patient?

Microscopic wear debris from a polyethylene liner is toxic to tissue. As the liner degrades, it releases wear debris into the space around the prosthetic hip. That space contains soft tissue, muscles, and bone. If left untreated, soft tissue, muscle, and bone can become necrotic and die. Bone death is called osteonecrosis.  Loss of muscle can cause instability in the hip and lead to dislocation.  Osteonecrosis can lead to implant loosening, subsidence, and malposition. Each of these issues makes revision surgery much more complicated and substantially decreases a patient’s chance of a good outcome from revision surgery.    

How Can I Tell If My Hip Replacement Has Failed? 

Patients with complications from their hip surgery will experience the same symptoms other hip replacement product failures have caused. Exactech Connexion GXL liner complications include: 

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Ambulatory problems
  • Joint pain and weakness
  • Osteolysis (destruction of periprosthetic bone tissue)
  • Revision surgery

Our Exactech GXL Hip Implant Lawyers Outline What to Do Next

If you or a loved one has had hip surgery with an Exactech Connexion GXL liner you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. You may not be experiencing any of the symptoms above, but regular check-ins with your medical professional can document your efforts to stay healthy and help continually monitor your situation. Diagnosing premature failure of the Exactech GXL Connexion liner may be as simple as reviewing a plain x-ray.  

If you are experiencing the symptoms above you may be eligible for compensation. If you believe you’ve been hurt due to a faulty Exactech hip implant liner, contact the defective hip replacement lawyers at Searcy Denney today. We’re available to help clients nationwide.

FAQs: Filing an Exactech Hip Implant Lawsuit

What Brand of Hip Replacement is Being Recalled?

Exactech, a medical device manufacturer headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, has recalled all hip implant devices containing the company’s proprietary Connexion GXL Liner. This includes devices with the liner sold under the brand names MCS, Novation and Acumatch.

Several other companies have recently issued recalls for defective hip replacement devices as well. This includes Stryker (Accolade TMZF, Rejuvenate and ABG II) and DePuy (ASR XL), among others.

Can Titanium Hip Replacement Devices Cause Problems?

Some titanium hip replacement devices have been known to cause problems. This includes Stryker’s Accolade TMZF, Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants, all of which have been recalled. Many non-titanium hip implant devices are known to cause problems as well. For example, the problems with Exactech’s hip replacement implants, which use both ceramic and metical femoral heads, relate to the “ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene” plastic used in these devices.

What are the Symptoms of Hip Replacement Rejection?

Individuals who experience hip replacement rejection related to an Exactech hip implant may have several symptoms. Some of the most-common symptoms include loosening or instability in the hip, swelling, pain and inflammation. In severe cases, hip replacement rejection can also lead to fractures and potentially life-threatening infections. As a result, anyone who has concerns related to possible failure of their hip replacement implant should consult with their doctor promptly.

How Long Do Hip Implants Last?

Most hip implant devices are designed to last 25 years or longer; and, at a minimum, most hip implants should last at least 10 years. However, defective hip implant devices may fail much sooner.  

How Can I Tell If a Loved One’s Exactech Hip Implant is Failing? 

When a patient’s hip implant fails, the patient will usually experience significant pain and swelling in the area of the hip joint. The failed hip implant device may also make noises or move in an unusual manner. Many patients whose Exactech hip implant devices have failed also experience a “grinding” sensation in their hip to the presence of plastic wear debris caused by the failure.

What is the Safest Hip Replacement?

It is difficult to say which hip replacement device is the safest at this time. Several major manufacturers, including Exactech, Stryker and DePuy, have recalled their hip replacement devices due to significant safety concerns in recent years. If you need a hip replacement, or if you need revision surgery to replace a defective hip implant, you should speak with a doctor about the options that are currently available.

Should I Contact Exactech about My Hip Replacement Device?

If your Exactech hip implant device has failed, you should not contact the company about your device at this time. While the company may offer to cover your out-of-pocket medical costs, it will require you to accept this as a settlement of any and all potential claims. However, you may be entitled to far more for the effects of your hip implant’s failure. As a result, it is in your best interests to speak with an Exatech hip implant lawyer who can take appropriate legal action on your behalf. 

Let Our Defective Hip Replacement Attorney Help You With Your Exactech Hip Implant Lawsuit

The Exactech Connexion GXL Liner Hip Implant is just the latest line of defective hip replacement devices. The attorneys at Searcy Denney have experience with these types of defective medical device claims and understand how to recover the financial compensation you’re entitled to recover. Contact us to schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, with no risk to you.

 

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Posted By: Lauren Schumacher