Zimmer Biomet Recall Due to High Fracture Rate

For many struggling with chronic hip pain, a hip replacement offers the promise of a new beginning. Freedom from discomfort, improved mobility, and the ability to get back to the activities they love are all enticing reasons people brave hip replacement surgery.

Hip replacements are meant to restore quality of life, allowing individuals to move without pain and reclaim their independence. However, for some, the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System, a widely used implant, has allegedly done the opposite.

Instead of providing relief, it has led to serious complications, including an increased risk of thigh bone fractures, reportedly leaving patients facing unexpected pain, additional surgeries, and prolonged recovery times.

When your health and quality of life are at stake, you need a law firm with a proven track record in securing justice. At Osborne, Francis & Pettis, we’ve won over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients nationwide. If you suffered a femoral fracture after a hip replacement with a Zimmer Biomet device, reach out to our team online or call (561) 293-2600 today.

“Osborne, Francis & Pettis were phenomenal in handling my case. I received timely updates on my case. The team was efficient, professional, and responsive. I’d use their services again and recommend them to others.”

- Shanita J. | Client

About the Zimmer Biomet Hip Replacement

In the United States, over 544,000 people get a hip replacement annually. As our population continues to age, this number will continue to climb. People with certain medical conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, injury to the hip joint, or a tumor in the hip joint typically receive hip replacements.

There are several different types of hip implant devices, with polished-taper slip (PTS) hip systems being one of the most common designs. The Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip Replacement System is a polished-taper slip system made from cobalt-chromium alloy, a very strong material.

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Zimmer Biomet systems have been used widely since in total hip replacement surgeries. The stem is designed to fit securely within the femur, anchoring the new hip joint in place.

What Happened With the Zimmer Biomet Recall?

In July 2024, the FDA announced that Zimmer Biomet announced a voluntary recall of its CPT Hip System after research unveiled a troubling risk: patients who received the implant faced a significantly higher chance of suffering thigh bone fractures.

A study from the United Kingdom looked at the most commonly used hip replacement systems, including the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System. The study found that patients with the CPT Hip System are more likely to experience fractures around the thigh bone, with a fracture rate of about 1.4%.

In comparison, similar hip replacement systems have much lower fracture rates, usually between 0.6% and 1%. This means that people with the Zimmer Biomet implant face a higher risk of complications like thigh bone fractures than those with other types of implants.

Despite the Zimmer Biomet recall, the company’s plan only involved phasing out the device's sale by the end of 2024, leaving many patients who already had the implant with unresolved risks.

In response to the link between the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System and thigh fractures, the FDA issued a public warning urging both doctors and patients to be cautious about using the CPT Hip System in future surgeries.

How Osborne, Francis & Pettis Helped This Client With Her Hip Replacement Lawsuit

In this video, our client shares her experience with a defective hip replacement and how the team at Osborne, Francis & Pettis provided the support she needed through a long, challenging recovery.

What Injuries Have Been Connected to the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System?

Patients implanted with the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System may be at a higher risk of suffering postoperative periprosthetic femoral fractures. These fractures can result in severe complications, including:

• Pain
• Blood Clots
• Infections
• Limited Mobility
• Repeat Fracture
• Poor Fracture Healing
• Dislocation

In addition to these injuries, people may have to resort to revision surgery to correct issues related to their Zimmer Biomet implant.

Revision Surgery Due to Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Failure

While there is no guarantee that hip replacement surgery will always be 100% successful and that a device will last indefinitely, the average hip replacement system can last anywhere on average between 10 and 20 years.

However, studies have found that the Zimmer Biomet CPT hip system failure rate may be higher compared to others, leaving patients forced with the burden of undergoing painful revision surgery.

Unfortunately, revision surgery may bring several other risks patients have to grapple with, such as:

• Bone Loss in the Joint
• Pain
• Infections
• One Leg Shorter Than the Other
• Loosening of the New Prosthesis
• Bone Fractures

Imagine finally experiencing the relief and freedom you’ve been longing for after your initial hip surgery. But what happens when that sense of security and your improved quality of life is suddenly ripped away from you due to a Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System and thigh fracture?

Starting over with revision surgery can feel devastating. If you’ve endured a fracture because of a Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System, reach out to Osborne, Francis & Pettis today online or by calling (561) 293-2600 to learn about how a medical product liability lawyer can support you.

How an Attorney Can Fight for You in a Zimmer Biomet Hip System Lawsuit

When you’re in the midst of recovering from a fracture related to your hip replacement, you might not have the time or energy to even consider legal action. We understand that filing a lawsuit can seem very stressful, but you shouldn’t have to worry about doing this alone.

A lawyer can have your back throughout the entire process and take the weight off your shoulders by doing the following:

• Investigating What Went Wrong With Your Hip Implant: Your attorney will look into how your Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System malfunctioned, failed, or caused complications, such as a femoral fracture. They’ll examine what exactly happened with the hip implant that led to pain, injury, or the need for revision surgery.
• Gathering Medical Records and Evidence: Your lawyer will collect all the necessary medical records, including your hip replacement history, to build a strong case showing how the product may have harmed you.
• Taking Care of All Legal Filing and Paperwork: A legal team will handle all the legal paperwork, deadlines, and filings, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything or making mistakes that would delay your lawsuit.
• Negotiating for What You Deserve: Sometimes the other side’s legal team may try to offer you less than what you need to accurately cover what you’ve been through and what lies ahead. Your attorney will use their negotiation skills to secure the full extent of your damages.
• Advocating for You in Court: If the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement, your attorney is prepared to take your case to court and present their argument for a judge or jury to decide.

Not only does having a lawyer relieve you of the stress of managing every detail of your lawsuit, but an experienced attorney can potentially improve your chances of success. Through their knowledge and resources, you could have a much stronger case. For example, a 2016 Martindale-Nolo study found that more than 90% of people who hired a lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to just 50% of those who handled their own claim.

Some people may require 12 to 18 months to recover from a hip replacement revision, while some may never fully recover. During this time, medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care costs can quickly pile up. The emotional toll of being unable to live life as you once did adds to the burden. A lawsuit can provide the financial relief you need to recover and take back control over your life.