Smith & Nephew is a medical device manufacturer in the United Kingdom (UK) and has its headquarters in Memphis, TN. It is currently under scrutiny for its metal-on-metal hip resurfacing product called the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System. Their annual sale in 2014 was reported at more than $4.6 billion dollars.
NEWS: April 3, 2018 — BHR Hip Lawsuit Update 2018. If you have been hurt or suffered from the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System, and have OR have not had a revision surgery – YOU CAN STILL FILE A HIP LAWSUIT CLAIM. Time is running out – so please act now.
The BHR Hip implant product was approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006. Since becoming available on the market it is estimated there has been over 175,000 BHR hip implants implantations worldwide.
What is the BHR Hip Implant?
The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System contains two main parts: the resurfacing Femoral head and the Acetabular Cup. The design of this type of cobalt chrome molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy metal-on-metal implant is that it requires less bone removal and may not need to replace the complete worn out femur bone. Its intended use is for younger males who may be more active than older adults. 
According to the manufacturers’ website:
“The BHR System is intended for use in patients requiring primary hip resurfacing arthroplasty due to:
- Non-inflammatory arthritis (degenerative joint disease) such as osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, or dysplasia/DDH, or
- Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The BHR System is intended for patients who, due to their relatively younger age or increased activity level, may not be suitable for traditional total hip arthroplasty due to an increased possibility of requiring future ipsilateral hip joint revision.”
What are the Birmingham hip resurfacing problems?
Though it sounds like a better metal-on-metal hip implant, Smith & Nephew issued a recall of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System on June 4, 2015.
Citing a recent National Joint Registry of England and Wales (NJREW) data study and its own post market data, found failure rates and reports of painful injuries and the possibility of metallosis or cobalt toxicity (metal poisoning in the blood) led to the full recall of the BHR hip implant.
The hip recall pertains to the people who require implant head sizes 48mm or smaller.
The manufacturer lists the following risk factors for early revision:
- Patients who receive a 48mm femoral head;
- Patients who receive a device which is incorrectly positioned;
- Patients who have a diagnosis of avascular necrosis;
- Patients who have congenital dysplasia; and
- Patients who are obese.
Source: http://www.smith-nephew.com/key-products/orthopaedic-reconstruction/bhr-birmingham-hip-resurfacing/
Other common problems and side effects with metal-on-metal hip implants are:
- Hip or joint pain
- Infections
- Skin rash
- Cardiomyopathy
- Problems walking or moving or standing
- Movement of the parts
- Loosing of the parts
Birmingham hip resurfacing recall & other Smith & Nephew Hip Recalls
This isn’t the first time Smith & Nephew has issued recalls of their popular hip implants. Back in 2012 they also recalled the R3 Acetabular System. This led to many people filing hip lawsuit claims. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its own warning on the R3 System.
What is the Hip Implant Lawsuit about?
The lawyers and attorneys at National Injury Help are currently accepting defective hip implant claims from those hurt or injured from Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System Implant. There may be a class action lawsuit forming with substantial cash settlements from claims filed.
The common issue with most of the metal-on-metal hip implants is wear and tear of the parts that leads to bits of metal falling off and contaminating the bloodstream, medically known as “metallosis”. Many times when parts fail people have to have revision surgery or replacement. Many of these manufactures have faced litigation for these reasons. Was it improper testing or simply not designing these medical devices correctly?
How much is the cash settlement for the hip implant lawsuit?
The answer to these questions can be difficult to predict, as the class action for this hasn’t started yet. There is still time for join in this hip implant lawsuit, but there are statutes of limitations that apply.
Some of the past defective medical device lawsuits have had millions of dollars in a compensation fund, and then that is divided up between all who have joined the lawsuit. Example: $100,000,000 in a settlement fund that would serve 1,000 victims would be $100,000 per person. This is only an example and does not represent what may happen for the BHR Hip Implant lawsuit.
The lawyers at National Injury Help are currently accepting BHR Hip Implant cases in the following states:
If you had a Smith & Nephew BHR Hip Implant surgery from 2006 and 2014, and have suffered any side effects please protect your rights and contact us today as there may be substantial cash awards from settlements and claims filed. Use the form on the right side of your screen or call us toll free at 1-800-214-1010.
Sources:
http://www.smith-nephew.com/news-and-media/media-releases/news/statement-regarding-bhr-system/
Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System cash claims & settlement payouts page updated for BHR revision surgery and non-revision surgery on April 10, 2019.
