A pseudotumor is a non-cancerous soft tissue growth that occurs when metal particles from a metal-on-metal hip implant irritate tissue in the hip. Pseudotumors do not always cause problems, but when they do, severe pain and inflammation in the hip often requires a revision surgery to correct. Revision surgery can be very painful, debilitating, time-consuming, and expensive.
What You Can Do & How a Hip Implant Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting hip implant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a hip implant pseudotumor, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is a Pseudotumor?
A pseudotumor is a non-cancerous soft-tissue growth greater than 2-cm in diameter, which likely represent a local reaction to high amounts of metal debris generated by metal-on-metal hip implant wear. It is not a cancerous malignancy, scar tissue, or bursa. Pseudotumors may be more likely in women and people with metal sensitivity. Corrective surgery may be necessary to correct the condition, especially if the pseudotumor causes pain in the hip.
When the metal parts of a metal-on-metal hip implant grind together, they can shed particles of chromium and cobalt into the body. When chromium particles are absorbed by white blood cells, they are exposed to oxygen and begin to corrode. They release charged cobalt ions, which are highly soluble and toxic to cellular DNA. The chromium forms and irritating residue, and the cobalt particles can destroy cells.
Pseudotumors can grow without causing symptoms for months or years. By the time a pseudotumor causes severe symptoms, it is likely that extensive tissue damage has already occurred.
Studies of Hip Implant Pseudotumors
June 2012 — A study published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that pseudotumors were 10-times more likely to occur in patients with metal-on-metal hip implants. They examined 119 patients who had a metal-on-metal hip implant with a large femoral head. Of these, 39% had a pseudotumor. The researchers also found that patients who had a high amount of cobalt in the bloodstream were 4-times more likely to have a pseudotumor. Thirteen patients required revision surgery to correct problems with their hip implant.
Symptoms of a Hip Implant Pseudotumor
- Pain in the hip joint
- Swelling, inflammation
- Clicking sound in the hip
- Misalignment of the joint
- Decreased walking ability or range of motion
Treatment for a Hip Implant Pseudotumor
Treatment will depend on the size of the pseudotumor and whether it is causing severe problems. Not all pseudotumors cause problems, and many do not need to be treated. However, some can grow until they dislocate the hip joint, causing severe pain and decreased mobility. When that happens, revision surgery may be necessary to remove the pseudotumor and replace the hip implant that is causing tissue irritation.
Like any surgery, revision surgery for a defective hip implant is painful, debilitating, expensive, and time-consuming. If you have a hip implant lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries — including pain and suffering, medical expenses, decreased quality of life, and more.
Hundreds of hip implant lawsuits are already pending in federal court, and people continue to contact The Schmidt Firm, PLLC for more information on how to join the litigation.
Other Side Effects of Metal Hip Implants
- Pain in the hip joint
- Metal poisoning (metallosis, cobalt poisoning)
- Swelling
- Inflammation
- Tissue damage or death (necrosis)
- Bone loss
- Decreased walking ability or changes in gait
- Need for revision surgery
The long-term side effects of metal nano-particles in the body are not well known.
Do I have a Hip Implant Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting hip implant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a hip implant pseudotumor, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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