The Zimmer VerSys Hip Replacement System is a total hip replacement system with 3 components:
- The acetabular cup;
- The ball, which replaces the femoral head;
- The stem, which fits into the femur.
What are the Problems with the Zimmer VerSys Hip Replacement System?
How the implant fits into the hip
The Zimmer VerSys stem is matched with many different Zimmer heads. Friction caused by normal movement of the metal cup and femoral stem can cause cobalt and chromium particles or ions to shed causing metallosis or metal poisoning. This is called mechanical assisted crevice corrosion.
Several Maine orthopedic surgeons have written a medical journal article highlighting fretting and corrosion problems at the junction of the Zimmer VerSys femoral stem and the femoral head. According to the authors, the problems were limited to the Zimmer VerSys femoral stem with the 12mm/14 mm taper size. The taper is the part of the femoral stem inserted into the femoral head.
Local tissue reaction to cobalt and chromium particles.
The patients identified in the article suffered mechanical assisted crevice corrosion and elevated cobalt levels in their blood because of the corrosion problems. Some suffered from osteolysis or thining bones. All had surgery to remove and replace the Zimmer VerSys Hip implant.
Mechanical assisted crevice corrosion can cause long term damage.
There may be no symptoms, but often mechanical assisted crevice corrosion causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking. Blood tests to determine chromium and cobalt concentration can help determine the degree of the hip implant deterioration. According to the Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories, chromium blood serum concentrations greater than 1 part per billion or 1ng/ml or cobalt blood serum concentrations above 10 parts per billion or 10ng/mL suggest “significant prosthesis wear.”
What Should I Do if I have a Zimmer VerSys Hip Replacement System?
If you have experienced problems because of the Zimmer VerSys Hip System, contact Fales & Fales, P.A. and we will assess your case.
We will need the following documentation:
- The orthopedic surgeon’s office chart;
- The operative reports for the original joint replacement surgery and the revision surgery (if performed);
- The device record for the original surgery from the hospital chart (this shows the product and lot numbers of the components of the device); and
- If you have the hip device, we would like to see pictures.
We can help you track down many of these records. Once we complete our review, we will tell you if we can represent you in your case. Because each case is so different, there’s no one formula to determine if you do or don’t have a viable case. However, we will give your our honest assessment and will not agree to represent you if we do not believe that you have a case.
Fales & Fales, P.A., is happy to evaluate your case free of charge. If you have a Zimmer VerSys hip replacement device, contact our firm today for guidance.
