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A new study published in
Orthopedics Today reports that 11.4 percent of patients with ceramic hip implants, such as
Stryker Corporation’s Trident PSL and Hemispherical Acetabular Cups, experience squeaking well above the average audible range.
Details of the study
According to Orthopedics Today’s April 2008 issue, the study reviewed 149 hips in 143 patients ranging in ages from 23 to 78 years old with ceramic on ceramic hip implants. Fifteen of those patients experienced above audible squeaking (click here to listen to a sample of the squeaking) while walking, bending, stair climbing and sexual activity. The results, summarized at www.orthosupersite.com, showed that several of the hip implant parts had worn down from impingement.
Previous studies suggest similar concerns
Doug Kreis, a Florida attorney whose firm has been following the Stryker controversy and recall, told us that some of the same experts involved in the current study had expressed similar concerns about ceramic-on-ceramic implant products back in 2006. In a recent interview, Kreis provided the following information:
There was a conference that took place in late 2006 at which all the orthopedic surgeons around the country and world convened to talk about various issues, problems and technologies. It was at this meeting that Dr. Christopher Jarrett, brought up the issue of hip implant patients with ceramic-on-ceramic products who were experiencing an audible noise or a squeak. Other doctors at the conference reported having the same experience with their patients.
In the same conference, Dr. Richard Rothman of the Rothman Institute essentially concluded that, while the ideology of the squeaking was still unknown – something else was at play. In addition, an Italian surgeon named Toni Aldo published a study entitled Early Diagnosis of Ceramic Liner Fracture in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in late 2006. The study concluded that poor construction of the cup component enhanced the risk of impingement and the liner fractures and that squeaks from ceramic total hips were likely to be a precursor to hip failure.
If you are experiencing problems with Stryker’s Trident PSL and Hemispherical Acetabular Cups, contact an experienced attorney who has been following this issue to discuss your situation. Consultations are strictly confidential, free and without obligation. To contact an attorney, please click here.
