In mid-January 2001, the fourth of what are likely to be many defective product lawsuits was filed against Sulzer Orthopedics. The plaintiff, Kelly Hicks, alleges that the Sulzer Artificial Hip Replacement is unreasonably dangerous and has caused her extreme pain and inconvenience. Hicks, 42, is seeking $3 million from Sulzer after the defective hip replacement was inserted into her body purportedly to relieve a birth defect. The defective Sulzer Artificial Hip Replacement has left Hicks dependant on a cane. Hicks experiences pain in her upper thigh and groin making it difficult to walk.

Sulzer has admitted that its Sulzer Artificial Hip Replacement is contaminated with am oily residue left behind from the manufacturing process. The oil apparently prevents the artificial hip from properly bonding with a patient's natural bone resulting in a loose fit that usually requires a second surgical procedure to rectify. The other lawsuits pending against Sulzer include two individual suits in Texas and a class action suit filed in California. According to Sulzer, approximately 17,500 defective Sulzer Artificial Hips have been manufactured since 1999.