Hip and knee replacements are among the most common surgical procedures in all of orthopedic surgery. The procedure involves replacing damaged or deteriorated joints with artificial replacements, which include parts made of high molecular weight polyethylene, similar to pliable plastic. Most patients who undergo a hip or knee replacement gain improved agility, flexibility, and reduced pain; however, due to the practice of sterilizing polyethylene, some replacements have failed prematurely, resulting in injury, and causing the need for further surgery to replace the failed parts.

Several companies use a technique known as gamma irradiation in air to sterilize the hip and knee prostheses. During the procedure, small pieces of the polyehtylene part of the device which was previously sterilized may break down and become stuck in the hip or knee joint of a patient. In the body's fight to rid itself of those pieces, the immune system can also attack the patient's healthy bone, causing it to decay, a condition known as osteolysis. Usually additional knee or hip prosthesis replacements will be required and more surgical procedures must occur.

Several of the following manufacturers are under investigation for faulty hip and knee implants that were manufactured in the early 1990s:

. Depuy

. Howmedica Osteonics Corp.

. Howmedica, Inc.

. Osteonics Corp.

. Zimmer

. Biomet Each hip and knee prostheses case is unique and requires a thorough review of the individual's medical records to determine proper product identification and to determine potential damages or injuries as a result of the implantation of a hip or knee prosthesis.

If you or someone you know have undergone hip or knee replacement, you may be eligible to participate in hip and knee replacement litigation. To learn about hip or knee prostheses litigation, contact an experienced law firm. The victim, or plaintiff, may have the possibility to develop a medical lawsuit to seek compensatory damages for pain and suffering as well as overall medical bills.