Reuters recently reported that in recent years orthopedic surgeons have been paid hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation from the manufacturers of joint implants.

Statistics published in the Archives of Internal Medicine show that in 2007 five manufacturers reportedly paid more than $198 million to U.S. physicians. The payments could sway doctors to show preference to specific implants manufactured by the companies that paid them, possibly leaving the doctors open to threats of medical malpractice if those products are inferior and result in patient harm.

The money was earmarked as consulting fees, royalties and remuneration for research, and some experts argue that the support is necessary to help further medical research. Others fear, though, that the payments could lead to unethical standards, improprieties, and possible patient harm if side effects are ignored.

The report comes during an investigation by the U.S. Senate into whether surgeons who were paid by Medtronic, a manufacturer for medical devices, may have failed to report complications and concerns about the company's product. Although Medtronic is not on the list of manufacturers paying surgeons for the use of their devices, the list does include major implant makers such as DePuy Orthopedics, Biomet Orthopedics, Stryker Orthopedics, Smith & Nephew and Zimmer.

These implant manufacturers -- some of the largest in the world -- settled a kickback probe in 2007 with the U.S. Department of Justice. More than 1,000 doctors received payments from manufacturers in that year alone.

In 2008, after the U.S. Department of Justice began to require that companies disclose the payments, the number fell by half. Many doctors continue to receive money, though, and in large amounts. In 2010, payments averaged $233,108 individually.

Source: Reuters, "Million-dollar payments to surgeons raise question" Oct. 24, 2011