Metallic Debris Issues With Zimmer Durom

In an article published by the New York Times on March 3, 2010, theories are discussed about what is causing the Zimmer Durom to fail at such an unacceptable rate.  The article, As Use of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants Grows, Studies Raise Concerns, written by Barry Meier, who has written two previous articles discussing the Durom, highlights a recent string of studies reporting increased metallic debris produced by metal-on-metal artificial hips. 

These studies covered products by different manufacturers, such as DePuy Orthopaedics, Smith & Nephew, and Zimmer, Inc., as well as products used for both resurfacing procedures and total hip replacements.  While The DePuy product presented evidence of metalic debris which caused damage to muscles, tendons and soft tissues in some cases, the Zimmer Durom resulted in a significantly higher rate of metal ions in patients.  The article says this about studies on the Durom:

“The British Columbia researchers reported that patients receiving a conventional implant with a Durom socket, or “cup” as it is known, had significantly higher median blood serum levels of chromium and cobalt — 2.6 times for chromium and 10 times higher for cobalt — than patients who underwent resurfacing with the Durom system.

Those researchers, whose study was underwritten by Zimmer, urged in their report that the Durom components no longer be used in standard implants because of “these excessively high metal ion levels.” In this country, the Durom product is used only in conventional implants; the resurfacing system is not approved for sale.”

Issues with metal-on-metal hips are becoming more apparent, even as companies such as Zimmer, Inc. deny that there is anything wrong with their products’ design.  With the help of interested surgeons and reporters such as Barry Meier, we will continue to put pressure on medical device manufacturers to produce safe, well tested devices, and be open and honest about the products they put on the market.