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Zimmer Durom Hip Component

Orthopedic device manufacturer Zimmer Holdings, Inc. recently announced it is temporarily suspending U.S. marketing and distribution of its Durom Acetabular Hip Replacement Component (the “Durom Cup”) in response to numerous complaints of device failure, including cup loosening requiring subsequent revision surgery. This device was first introduced in the United States in 2006 for use in total hip replacement procedures. (It had been used in Europe since 2003). The Durom Acetabular Component is a chromium alloy and is designed for use in combination with Zimmer’s Metasul Metal-on-Metal Tribological Solution Large Diameter Heads (LDH). The company developed this product to address issues with the traditional hip replacement including wear, range of motion and instability.

While the company states that very few problems have been reported in Europe, a number of U.S. surgeons have complained that patients developed post-hip surgery problems or loosening of the parts, often requiring additional surgical revisions. (While surgical revisions may be required at times following hip surgery, they usually take place years down the road)

According to the manufacturer, over 56,000 Durom acetabular components have sold worldwide, with over 12,000 of these sold in the U.S.

In April of 2008, a prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Dorr publicly notified the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) of the failure rate associated with this hip device, Dr. Dorr reported that within the first two years following implantation, 14 out of 165 patients of his who received the Durom hip replacement system had to undergo revision surgery to correct a failed device.

Despite Zimmer’s claims to the contrary, Dr. Dorr states that the incidence of Durom cup failure is attributable to a design defect that prevents the device from seating correctly. It is estimated that hundreds of patients who have received this hip socket will need to undergo early replacement surgery in the coming years.
In May 2008, Zimmer sent a letter to healthcare providers indicating that they were initiating an investigation into the complaints surrounding their Durom artificial hip component. After reviewing data on over 3,100 cases, Zimmer concluded that the technology and design of this device require a higher degree of precision than the more common hip replacement surgical techniques used in the U.S. Therefore, they have decided that additional instructions and surgical training is necessary before this product is used.
Subsequently, in July of this year, 2008, Zimmer Holdings, Inc. suspended sales of its Durom Cup artificial hip component in the U.S. This came after a review of procedures and a higher than anticipated revision surgery rate.

You probably do not know if you have a Zimmer Durom cup implanted. If you have total hip replacement surgery between 2003 and the present, and have undergone a revision surgery to that hip, please fill out and submit our confidential questionnaire, or contact attorney William Bross by email at wlbross@hgdlawfirm.com, or phone Heninger Garrison Davis at 1-800-241-9779.

Click here for our confidential questionnaire