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The DePuy hip recall of the ASR hip implant was announced by DePuy Orthopedics Inc. on August 26, 2010. The hip recall by DePuy of its ASR hip implant comes after the device was marketed for approximately six years between 2003 and 2010. The defective ASR hip system has been implanted in a total of about 93, 000 patients. This hip recall affects two products by DePuy namely, the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System. This DePuy hip recall comes after years of published reports, studies and data indicating that the device was defective and failing in patients.
Obviously, no one looks forward to having a hip replacement, it is usually an option of last resort, especially with the long, slow recovery time and the pain and suffering that it is involved. Toxic cobalt levels have been linked to an inflammatory condition that is linked with necrosis of surrounding tissue and eventual bone loss in the hip joint. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently launched Web information pages to address the risks and side effects associated with metal-on-metal hip implants. A serious concern with metal hip implants is metallosis. Metallosis is the result of the body reacting to a metal implant. It occurs when the rubbing of metal-on-metal components releases cobalt and chromium ions into the bloodstream. The resulting local effect is inflammation and scarring around the implant. Other side effects associated with metal-on-metal hip implants include pain in the groin, hip or leg, swelling near the hip joint and a limp or change in walking ability.
Johnson & Johnson, in conjunction with its DePuy Orthopedics subsidiary, recently announced that it’s recalling parts used for hip replacements. An estimated 93,000 people will be affected by the product recall.
The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System and the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System are the two products involved in the recall. The Acetabular System helps address pelvic problems, while the Resurfacing System substitutes a metal device for the ball of a hip joint. Both carry a high rate of repeat surgeries needed by people who have received the parts.
The decision to recall the two products is based on findings from a recent study conducted in the UK. The study showed a five-year rate of revision surgery of 12 percent from the ASR Resurfacing System and about 13 percent for the ASR XL system. The double digit rates are uncommon and higher than expected.
Patients who reported problems within the first five years following surgery reported symptoms including pain, swelling and trouble walking, all of which are common after a hip replacement. These symptoms continue or come back when something may be wrong.
Recurring symptoms following hip replacement surgery may indicate more serious problems including:
- Loosening – when an implant doesn’t stay attached to the bone in the proper position, creating high levels of friction that can lead to trouble walking, crunching, fatigue and limping. If loosening occurs, it could put too much weight on other body parts, causing damage to the femur or the other hip due to over compensation.
- Fracture – when the bone around the implant breaks.
- Dislocation – when the two parts of the implant that move against each other are no longer aligned.
- Metallosis – when metal, or more specifically chromium and cobalt, is released into the body as a result of friction. The metal is carcinogenic and can potentially lead to cancerous tumors and muscle death.
The DePuy hip replacement products were designed to allow for more mobility and specifically marketed to younger people. Yet the smaller hip replacement parts have been compared to small tires on a car in the regard that due to their decreased size they are more susceptible to wear and tear. And with more and more young patients reporting problems, more and more revision surgeries may be needed in the future, with each successive hip replacement having a shorter life expectancy than the last.
Our team of DePuy hip implant attorneys are licensed in the states of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, and we stand ready to come to you to help. If you would like to learn more about a DePuy class action lawsuit, or a DePuy lawsuit, please contact a Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi DePuy hip implant attorney at 1-800-632-1404.
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Ed Wallis is an attorney currently representing clients who have taken several prescription drugs and claim injuries associated with those drugs, including Wellbutrin, Paxil, Avandia, Accutane and Reglan. He also represents clients across the globe pertaining to medical device failures, including the Advanced Bionics HiRes90k cochlear implant and the Gynecare Prolift transvaginal mesh – sling and the DePuy hip implant. In fact, Mr. Wallis serves as counsel to persons around the world for defective medical devices and drugs.
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