Your Hip Replacement May Be Failing You — And the Maker May Be Responsible

The short version: Starting in 2008 and accelerating through the early 2010s, the major hip implant makers recalled or suspended sales of their metal-on-metal hip devices after reports poured in of implant failure, painful revision surgeries, and a condition called metallosis — a buildup of metal debris in surrounding tissue. The recalled devices were supposed to last 15 to 20 years. Many failed in fewer than five. If you or someone you know received one of these implants and experienced complications, cases are still being accepted.

What Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Actually Do Inside the Body

A standard hip replacement has two main components: a ball (the femoral head) and a socket (the acetabular cup). In traditional implants, a plastic liner sits between the metal ball and the metal socket, cushioning the joint. In metal-on-metal designs, the plastic liner was removed. The ball and socket were both made of a cobalt-chromium alloy — metal grinding against metal with every step.

The manufacturers marketed this as an upgrade. They claimed metal-on-metal would last longer, reduce wear, and allow more active patients to move more freely. In practice, the two metal surfaces ground against each other every time the patient walked, rotated their leg, or climbed stairs. That grinding released microscopic metal particles and ions into the surrounding tissue and, eventually, the bloodstream.

Cobalt and chromium are toxic to human tissue in elevated concentrations. The FDA issued a safety communication in January 2013 requiring manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip systems to submit post-market surveillance studies — effectively acknowledging that the devices had been put on the market without adequate long-term safety data. By then, the recalls had already begun.

The Major Recalls and What They Covered

Each manufacturer handled its recall differently. Here is what was pulled and why:

Wright Medical Technology’s CONSERVE Plus hip resurfacing system also generated significant litigation over similar metal-ion concerns. If you received a hip resurfacing device — rather than a full replacement — it may still fall under metal-on-metal litigation.

What Metallosis Is and Why It Matters for Your Case

Metallosis is the medical term for what happens when metal particles and ions accumulate in soft tissue surrounding a joint. It is not a side effect that was disclosed to most patients. It was a consequence that the manufacturers understood was a risk — and chose not to prominently warn about.

Here is what happens inside the body:

• Metal ions leach into tissue — cobalt and chromium dissolve off the implant surfaces and diffuse into surrounding muscle, fat, and bone tissue with every step
• Pseudotumors form — the body’s immune response to metal debris can produce fluid-filled or solid masses around the implant; these can grow large enough to destroy tissue and bone
• Tissue necrosis occurs — in severe cases, surrounding muscle and bone die from metal toxicity, sometimes causing permanent disability even after revision surgery
• Systemic effects are possible — elevated cobalt and chromium in the bloodstream have been linked to neurological symptoms, heart problems, and thyroid disruption in some patients

The test for metallosis is a blood draw measuring cobalt and chromium ion levels. Many patients with failing metal hips were never given this test. If your orthopedic surgeon has not measured your metal ion levels and you have a metal-on-metal implant, ask for one.

Why Cases Are Still Being Accepted

The largest MDLs — consolidated federal cases involving thousands of plaintiffs — were largely resolved between 2013 and 2016. If you have read about this litigation before, you may think it is over. It is not, for several reasons.

First, many injured patients were never included in prior proceedings. Some were not contacted. Some did not know they had a recalled device. Some experienced late-onset complications that developed after prior settlement windows closed.

Second, the Pinnacle Cup MDL — DePuy’s larger-diameter metal-on-metal system sold under a different name from the recalled ASR — continued litigation well into the 2020s. That device was never formally recalled, but thousands of patients alleged the same pattern of failure and metal toxicity.

Third, individual state court cases have continued outside the MDL framework. Whether your case belongs in federal court, state court, or involves a device that was never part of a formal MDL, a lawyer can advise you on where you stand and whether a filing deadline has passed in your state.

Who May Qualify

You may qualify if all or most of the following apply to you:

1. You received a metal-on-metal hip implant — or a hip resurfacing device — from any manufacturer, including DePuy, Stryker, Zimmer, Biomet, or Wright Medical.
2. You experienced complications: persistent hip pain, the need for revision surgery, an implant that loosened or failed earlier than expected, elevated cobalt or chromium blood levels, a pseudotumor, or a diagnosis of metallosis.
3. You received the implant within the past several years, or experienced complications recently, such that your state’s filing deadline has not yet passed.

You do not need to have been part of a prior lawsuit or MDL. You do not need to have had revision surgery yet to start the process. If you have an implant and you are experiencing symptoms, submit your information now — do not wait until symptoms worsen.

What Revision Surgery Actually Involves

Revision surgery for a failed hip implant is not a quick procedure. It is significantly more complex, more painful, and carries more risk than the original replacement. The surgeon must remove not just the failed components, but also clear out damaged tissue, address bone loss, and re-implant a new device in a joint that has already been compromised.

Recovery is typically longer than the first surgery. Complications — including infection, blood clots, and nerve damage — occur at higher rates in revision cases than in primary replacements. The physical and financial toll of a revision surgery that should never have been necessary is exactly what these cases are about.

If you were told you need revision surgery, or if you have already had one, document everything: who performed the surgery, when, what was found, and what the surgeon said about the reason for the failure. That information is directly relevant to your case.

How the Process Works If You Reach Out

If you do not hear back within seven days, please reach out to another law firm. Every case has a state filing deadline, and waiting too long can cost you the right to recover.

Common Questions

How do I know if I have a metal-on-metal hip implant?

Your surgeon’s office or hospital records will show the make and model of your implant. You may also have received an implant card at discharge. Key names to look for: DePuy ASR, DePuy Pinnacle (metal liner version), Stryker Rejuvenate, Stryker ABG II, Zimmer Durom Cup, Biomet M2a Magnum, or Wright CONSERVE Plus. If you are unsure, request your operative report — it will name the device and lot number.

The major MDLs settled years ago. Can I still file a case?

Possibly. Not everyone who was injured participated in a prior MDL or settlement. If you experienced late-onset complications, were never contacted about a settlement program, or had revision surgery after a prior settlement window closed, it is worth speaking with a lawyer about whether an individual case is still viable. Filing deadlines vary by state and depend on when your injury was discovered.

I had revision surgery but my doctor never mentioned a lawsuit. Should I check?

Yes. Surgeons are not required to advise you of your legal rights. The fact that you needed revision surgery for an early-failing metal-on-metal implant is exactly the kind of injury these cases address. A lawyer can evaluate whether your timeline, device, and symptoms support a claim.

What is metallosis and how do I know if I have it?

Metallosis is a buildup of metal debris in the soft tissue surrounding the implant. It can cause chronic pain, tissue destruction, and the formation of pseudotumors — masses of fluid or dead tissue that can damage bone. A blood test measuring cobalt and chromium levels is the starting point. Elevated levels, along with symptoms, are often the first confirmed sign. Ask your doctor for this test if you have a metal-on-metal implant.

Does it cost anything to check?

Nothing. The form is free. If you move forward, there are no upfront costs. You only pay if money is recovered for you.