Zimmer Biomet® CPT Hip System Lawsuit

The Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System was linked to a doubled risk of thigh-bone fractures compared to other hip implants.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you had a thigh bone fracture after having a hip replacement surgery with the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Linked to Thigh Bone Fractures

In September 2024, an FDA Safety Communication warned about a risk of thigh bone fractures with the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System.

What Are Thigh-Bone Fractures?

Thigh-bone fractures are a painful and serious injury involving a broken bone in the upper-leg. This bone is called the femur. It is the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body, essential for your ability to walk and stand up. The top of the femur is a ball-shaped bone that fits into a socket in the pelvis called the hip joint.

Signs & Symptoms of Broken Leg Bone

Leg pain (often severe)
Pain in the upper-thigh area
Swelling and bruising around the hip or thigh
Unable to put weight on the leg
Trouble walking
Leg appears shorter or looks deformed

What Hip Replacements Were Linked to Bone Fractures?

The CPT Hip System is used for hip replacements. The bone fracture warning involves the Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Femoral Stem 12/14 Neck Taper, which is made of a cobalt-chromium metal alloy.

CPT Hip System Has Highest Risk of Thigh-Bone Fracture

The CPT Hip System Femoral Stem is a polished taper-slip (PTS)-style stem that is made of a cobalt-chromium alloy. All types of PTS stems have been linked to a risk of thigh-bone fractures, but the CPT Hip System has a significantly higher risk than other PTS stems.

What Is The Risk?

The CPT Hip System was linked to a 1.4% risk of thigh-bone fractures in the United Kingdom, which is more than twice the risk compared to a similar PTS stem that was made of stainless-steel.

Zimmer Biomet Ends Sales of CPT Hip System

Due to the unacceptable safety risk, Zimmer Biomet has decided to phase out sales of the CPT Hip System Femoral Stem, with a target date of December 2024 to discontinue sales of the device worldwide.

Zimmer Biomet announced their plans to phase out the CPT Hip System in an Urgent Medical Device Safety Notice on July 1, 2024.

FDA Concerned About CPT Hip Systems Still Being Used

The CPT Hip System remains available until the end of 2024, but in the meantime, safety officials in the U.K. warned “against its use for elective surgery except in exceptional circumstances. Surgeons should consider using an alternative prosthesis.”

The FDA also asked surgeons to “consider using an alternative prosthesis where possible.” The FDA said it “has concerns about the CPT Hip System continuing to be implanted in new patients, given recent research that found a higher risk of thigh bone fracture…”

Thigh-Bone Fractures After Hip Replacements

Thigh-bone fractures after a hip replacement surgery are one of the most common reasons why patients must undergo another operation.

This is a very serious, major complication. The operation to repair the broken femur and re-implant another metal stem is very challenging.

Even in the best-case scenario, many patients have poor outcomes due to older age, weak bones, or other health problems. Multiple broken bone fragments or the use of bone cement add complexity.

Internal Fixation Surgery For Femur Fractures

If the metal stem is still firmly fixed in the femur and not loose, doctors may try to repair the broken bone. This is called “internal fixation.” During the operation, the broken pieces of femur bone may be held together using screws, cables, metal plates, or bone graft transplants.

Long-Term Risks After Femur Surgery

Surgery to repair a thigh-bone fracture after a hip replacement can cause long-term complications, such as:

Hip pain
Limited mobility
One leg shorter than the other
Dislocation
Lack of in-growth of the new stem in the femur bone
Poor healing of the bone fracture
Nerve damage
Blood vessel injuries
Infection
And more

Thigh-Bone Fractures Linked to Higher Mortality-Rate

Studies have shown that patients who suffer a thigh-bone fracture after having a hip replacement have a higher mortality-rate, up to 10% in the first 30 days. Many patients never recover full use of their hip, even with a successful surgery.

Healing & Recovery Process Can Take Months

The process of healing, regaining strength, and walking can take several months after surgery to repair a thigh-bone fracture. Patients may need to spend weeks in a rehabilitation center or a skilled nursing facility. Even after going home, they may need a hip brace or walker.

What is a PFF?

The technical term for a thigh-bone fracture after a hip replacement is a Postoperative Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture (PFF). It is an extremely painful complication that usually requires emergency surgery to fix the bone, and re-implant a new metal femoral stem if the original one is loose.

What Happens During Surgery?

During hip replacement surgery, a long metal shaft called the “femoral stem” is implanted deep inside the middle of the patient’s thigh-bone. If the bones surrounding the stem break apart, the stem can loosen. The patient will need a new metal stem implanted (usually one that is longer) and surgery to repair thigh-bones that are missing or weak.

Thigh-Bone Fractures Often Caused By Falls

Thigh-bone fractures around hip replacements are usually caused by a fall. Even low-energy falls can cause a bone fracture in older patients who have a condition that weakens bone, like osteoporosis. PFFs can also occur after high-energy hip impacts or car accidents.

What Should I Do?

Ask your orthopedic surgeon if your hip replacement contained a Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Femoral Stem 12/14 Neck Taper.

If so, be aware of the increased risk of thigh-bone fractures. You may experience severe pain and difficulty walking if this injury occurs.

If you do not have unexpected symptoms, continue with your existing follow-up schedule for your CPT Hip System. The FDA does not recommend removal of a well-functioning CPT Hip System.

Can I Join A Class Action Lawsuit?

Our law firm is investigating cases involving people who were injured by thigh-bone fractures involving a Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System. If you needed surgery for a femur fracture, we can help you seek justice.

Class Action Lawsuit vs. Multi-District Litigation (MDL)

Instead of a class action, people who were injured by hip implants may qualify to file an individual lawsuit. If a large number of lawsuits are filed by people who all have the same type of injury, judges may create a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) to coordinate the lawsuits into a single court, under one judge, which streamlines a complex litigation.

Hip Implant Lawsuits Are Being Filed Nationwide

In recent years, thousands of lawsuits involving defective hip implant injuries have been filed against manufacturers. These lawsuits typically seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent injuries or disabilities, lost income, and more.

Do I Have a Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Lawsuit?

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Zimmer Biomet CPT Hip System Lawsuit