The Wright PROFEMUR® hip implant is a metal component of a hip replacement device that is primarily prescribed for and implanted in patients who have persisting pain and impaired mobility due to hip fracture, severe hip dislocation, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or bone tumors. Specifically, the Wright PROFEMUR® is the "neck" of the total hip system that connects the ball-and-socket component to the femur (thigh bone) underneath.

Wright Medical Group, Inc. currently produces four versions of its PROFEMUR® line of hip devices, including the:

• PROFEMUR® Gladiator
• PROFEMUR® Renaissance
• PROFEMUR® TL
• PROFEMUR® Z

The PROFEMUR® hip implants are comprised of a Cobalt-Chromium alloy that is coated with a "commercially pure" titanium in order to reduce friction between components and promote greater mobility and stability.

Wright PROFEMUR® Device Features

The specific differences between the various types of Wright PROFEMUR® devices lie in the:

• Angle at which the Wright PROFEMUR® neck meets and joins up with both the ball-and-socket component and the thigh bone itself
• The size ranges available for patients of different heights, weights and statures
• The surface roughness of the component
• The surgical tools and methods most appropriate for implanting the specific device

While all Wright PROFEMUR® devices are comprised of metal, they can be used in conjunction with ball-and-socket mechanisms that are made up of metal, ceramic, or specially formulated polyethylene components.

Wright PROFEMUR® Risks and Possible Complications

Despite the fact that the Wright PROFEMUR® product line has been developed with the latest technological innovations and that it does improve the quality of life for many patients, it does put some at risk of:

• Developing serious, painful and, in the worst cases, life-threatening complications
• Needing one or more revision surgeries to repair or replace the defective device

In fact, a study published in the March 2012 Lancelet found that the Wright PROFEMUR® devices caused more than one in every ten patients to suffer from complications that required extensive follow up treatments. Some of the risks associated with use of the Wright PROFEMUR® devices include:

• Allergic reaction, should patients have an adverse reaction to the metal alloy, ceramic or plastic components
• Hip dislocation due to an improper choice in size or component materials for a specific patient or due to use of the wrong surgical technique during implantation
• Metal ions in the blood due to friction between the metal-on-metal components can cause damage to surrounding tissue and bone; long term damage might include neurological and heart problems
• Osteolysis, depletion of the bone due to use of the wrong size of the device based on the patient's frame

Talk to a Defective Hip Implant Lawyer

If you or someone you love is having problems with a hip replacement system, you may be eligible for compensation. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with a defective hip implant lawyer today.