Hip Replacement Facts

Patient Communication Guidelines

The following information is intended to assist surgeons and their staffs in their efforts to help patients better understand their individual situations and to prevent unnecessary confusion.

Zimmer empathizes with any patient who must undergo revision surgery and we take seriously our obligation to protect the health and safety of all patients implanted with our products.

Joint Replacement

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects nearly 27 million Americans or 12.1% of the adult population of the United States.
• More than 700,000 primary hip and knee replacements are performed each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
• QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Year) assessments demonstrate that total joint replacement is among the most successful and cost-effective surgical interventions, relieving pain and restoring function in most patients.
• Zimmer is proud to supply implant systems that enable surgeons to alleviate pain and restore mobility to patients around the world.

Risks of Joint Replacement

• Joint replacement surgery is often successful and patients’ mobility is restored.
• Some patients may develop complications, and if severe enough, these can require revision surgery to remove or replace an implant.
• The longevity of a total joint replacement implant depends on a number of factors: patient factors such as height, weight, activity level, anatomy, trauma, etc.; surgeon factors such as implant selection, surgical technique; and implant factors such as design and materials.
• There is a risk that clinical outcomes will not meet a patient's expectations.

The Durom® Cup

• Some surgeons have reported a higher than expected rate of cup loosening with the Durom Cup which has resulted in revision surgeries.
• After thoroughly investigating the device, Zimmer concluded that the more successful surgeons consistently execute crucial technique steps for Durom Cups in a specific manner.
• Zimmer distributed updated surgical technique instructions and implemented mandatory training for all surgeons using the Durom Cup to reiterate the importance of these steps.
• The Durom Cup products were not recalled or required to be retrieved from hospitals or patients.
• Routine follow-up evaluations should be scheduled with your surgeon to evaluate your clinical progress toward recovery.
• Keep in mind that hip replacement surgery is a very invasive procedure and a certain amount of pain shortly after surgery is expected.
• If you are experiencing pain more than three months after surgery, you should make an appointment with your surgeon.

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