Metal Toxicity complications have reportedly plagued metal-on-metal (MoM) hip systems ever since their market introductions. Due to the fact that these devices are made up of several metal components, studies indicate that tiny metallic particles may be released in the blood of implant patients, especially when said metal parts scrape against each other. Consequently, severe side effects like metallosis may transpire. Therefore, some medical experts frown upon the use of MoM hip systems in hip replacement.

The main producers of all-metal hip systems include DePuy Orthopaedics, Zimmer, Smith and Nephew, Wright, and Stryker Orthopaedics. Curiously enough, most of these companies are now facing litigation over complications associated with their respective MoM hip devices.

According to the latest reports, MoM hip manufacturers have been ordered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate further safety studies on their respective MoM hip devices. The agency stated that the companies must do so in order to uncover all other potential risks associated with said hip devices. It seems that a lot of implant patients with MoM hip devices showed signs of heavy metal accumulation in their bloodstream, especially in the area surrounding their artificial hip devices. Thus, disputes and legal actions have developed. In addition to the FDA, other federal health regulators have also expressed their concerns on MoM hip device risks.

Moreover, researchers have recently discovered that patients with other types of hip devices that are not made entirely of metal components have also shown evidence of heavy metal poisoning. For instance, Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip devices have been linked to complications related to metal toxicity. Because they are utilized together with ceramic on polyethylene-bearing surfaces, the above hip systems are different from traditional MoM hip devices. Despite their differences, however, researchers explain that both models contain metal components that may scrape against each other during normal day-to-day movements. Thus, researchers indicate that the same result, which is the accumulation of metal ions in the body, may still be seen in patients with either modular or MoM hip devices. Because of this, numerous lawsuits were filed against Stryker. In fact, the company has reportedly issued a Stryker Rejuvenate Modular hip implant recall in 2012.