Sulzer Orthopedics
recalled its Inter-Op acetabular shell for hip implants on December
8, 2000. Approximately 25,000 products and 17,500 hip implants already
in patients are subject to the recall. When you hear of "recalls,"
you may think of cars, or tires, or appliances. In this case it
is a medical device that's been surgically implanted inside the
body. The recall of this hip joint due to the negligence of Sulzer
has compromised the emotional and physical well being of patients
after a difficult surgery. As of March 2001, there have been 573
documented revision surgeries. At the end of March 2001, the number
climbed to 748.
