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John Love, knee replacement, lawsuit, Louisiana, Manufacturing, Medical device, New Orleans, Zimmer
Zimmer knee replacement manufacturer sued for metal on metal design | Louisiana Record.
Zimmer knee replacement manufacturer sued for metal on metal design
12/27/2011 8:10 AM By Michelle Keahey
Claiming his total knee replacement is defective, Orleans Parish resident John Love has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the medical device, Zimmer Inc., on Dec. 20 in federal court in New Orleans.
Love claims his implanted parts included NexGen Complete Knee Solution, Legacy Knee Posterior Femoral Compontent and Trabecular Metal Monoblack Tibial Component.
He states that he has experienced pain, swelling and weakness due to the total knee replacement and will have to eventually undergo another total knee replacement surgery.
He claims the device was unreasonably dangerous and unfit for use because it was a metal on metal device. He argues that the device would deteriorate causing premature failure and cobalt chromium contamination.
Zimmer is accused of negligently and carelessly designing, manufacturing, labeling, distributing, marketing, and promoting the medical device.
The defendant is also accused of violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Love is represented by New Orleans attorneys John D. Sileo and Kevin Riche. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Helen G. Berrigan is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-03116
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Earl's View 
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THIS AND NOT ONLY WITH ZIMMER OR JUST KNEES, WITH ANY METAL ON METAL DEVICE THAT IS PUT INOT OUR BODIES BECAUSE….THIS PROBLEM WITH COLBALT AND CHROMEUM STARTED WAY BEFORE MY REPLACEMENT IN MARCH, 2010, SO MY QUESTION IS…WHY ON EARTH WOULD THESE COMPANIES CONTINUE TO USE THESE KNOWING FULL WELL OF THE PROBBABLE OUTCOME. SO HERE YOU ARE, I AM AND MANY MANY OTHER ARE WITH LEVELS OF METALS IN OUR BLOODSTREAM THAT DO NOT BELONG, WHY ARE THEY STILL ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO POSION US AND MAKE OUR PAIN WORSE THAN IT WAS BEFORE WE DID THIS BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE RATE?? THESE COMPANIES ALL NEED TO BE STOPPED FROM MAKING REPACEMENTS WITH THESE THINGS IN IT. WE HAVE ALL GONE IN THINKING WE WHERE GOING TO BE BETTER OFF AND GETTING SO MUCH BETTER AND WE ARE WORSE OFF THAN WE EVER WERE. SO NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT CHANGING THIS?? I AM OPEN TO ANYTHING THAT WILL STOP THIS FROM CONTINUING TO HAPPEN TO MANY MANY OTHERS, AND AGAIN ITS ALOT OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURS. ANY THOUGHTS OR IDEAS??
Hi Jackie
the problem is that medical science is not ever 100% and for between 85% and 95% of the population metal on metal, except for DePuy ASR’s, have been working (failing) at an “acceptable level”.
We unfortunately are part of the smaller percentage where they do not work.
Given the overall problems with metal on metal and their tendency to wear excessively and cause problems when not fitted well, it is likely that metal on metal will be phased out rather quickly and replaced with ceramic on ceramic or other combinations like metal on plastic. Even these combinations have their issues. Plastic wears and can cause osteolysis – this is well documented – even pseudotumours but there are not the problems with metal toxicity that occur with metal on metal.
The thousands of lawsuits before the courts at present have sent a loud signal to the manufacturers – you will see changes – but there will always be problems with hip replacements for some of us, depending on our anatomy and physiology – this is just the result of us being a biological soup. Nothing is perfect, sadly.
Earl
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