Hip Implant Attorneys Can Answer Questions About the DePuy Hip Replacement Recall

Injured hip implant patients are filing personal injury lawsuits against DePuy Orthopaedics and their parent company Johnson & Johnson for manufacturing defective hip implants.  The hip implants, known as ASR XL and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems, may cause patients to experience pain and to require additional surgery.  If you have questions about the DePuy hip replacement recall and lawsuits, contact 1-888-BURNETTI for more information.

DePuy Hip Implant Recall

On August 26, 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled two hip replacement products, known as ASR XL and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems.  Approximately 40,000 products have been implanted through the date of the recall in patients across the United States (U.S.). 

Many patients are undergoing revision surgery due to failure with the DePuy ASR artificial hips.  Data from the National Joint Registry in the United Kingdom discloses that:

• Early data indicates that as many as one in eight patients may be forced to undergo corrective revision surgery
• 12-13 percent of patients with the ASR XL System or ASR Hip Resurfacing System have required corrective surgery within five years of their original procedures

This data may underestimate the actual number of revisions as more patients find in the years to come that their implants are failing.

Why the DePuy ASR Implants are Failing

Patients allege that the DePuy ASR implant is defective and fails due to design flaws, specifically because the implant is metal-on-metal.  This may cause the device to slip, or for the shell to not sit in place in the hip acetabulum.  The friction of the metal-on-metal contact can cause microscopic metal shavings to be released into the surrounding tissue and blood, causing elevated levels of chromium and cobalt.

Metallosis Caused by Metal Shavings  

The elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in the blood and tissue may cause metallosis, an inflammatory reaction and type of blood poisoning.  The resulting inflammatory reactions may cause:

• Vision loss
• Pain in the groin
• Muscle damage
• Hip pain
• Death of tissue in the hip joint
• Loss of surrounding bone
• Hearing loss
• Vertigo
• Blindness
• Headaches
• Extensive soft tissue damage

These physical side effects may also cause efforts to replace the implant to become more involved and result in additional complications. 

Signs that the DePuy Hip Replacements May be Failing

There are numerous signs that may indicate that the DePuy hip implants ASR XL and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems may be failing:

• Difficulty walking
• Crunching or “popping” sensations while walking
• Pain from walking, bearing weight or rising from a seated position
• Thigh pain

What to Do If You Have Been Told Your Implant is Failing

If you have been told that your implant is failing, or if you have had revision surgery, hip implant attorneys can explain your legal rights, possible remedies under the law, and applicable deadlines for filing a claim.

If you pursue a claim and DePuy is found liable, then you may be entitled to a judgment to compensate you for your medical bills, past and future medical care, pain and suffering, and financial losses.  For more information regarding the DePuy hip replacement recall and lawsuits, contact Burnetti, P.A. at 1-888-BURNETTI.