DePuy Hip Replacement

AREYOU AT RISK ?

In August 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of Johnson and Johnson, recalled two types of defective hips. The recall affects the ASR XL Acetabular System, which is used for total hip replacements, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which is used in a newer kind of bone-conserving procedure.

Data has established that 5 years after this device was implanted, 12% of patients who had received the ASR Resurfacing System and 13%  (1 of every 8) of patients who received the ASR total hip replacement needed to have it replaced .The ASR Hip Resurfacing System was only sold outside of the United States, but the ASR XL Acetabular System was sold worldwide.

If you received a hip replacement after July 2003, there is a chance that you may be a recipient of a defective ASR unit.  Your surgeon can verify the type of unit implanted. He/she can determine if the device is functioning properly and whether or not you will need revision surgery to remove and replace the dangerous, defective device.

Potential Dangers and Complications from Defective DePuyhip devices

The ASR units are metal-on-metal implants which replace the bone “ball-and-socket” found in a natural hip. Parts of these units are made of metals such as cobalt and chromium.

Many health care professionals believe that the cup of the DePuy ASR hip implant is too shallow. Recipients of ASR devices are at risk for injury when the hip replacement unit begins to deteriorate prematurely. Therefore, this design flaw can lead to improper implantation and other health complications, including loosening of the hip implant within the body and metallosis. Metallosis is a condition caused by the movement of the implant and may result in the release of flecks of toxic metal debrisatpotentially dangerous levels  into the recipient’s  bloodstream.

Additional PossibleComplications

  • Loose hip cups
  • Hip dislocations
  • Bone fractures
  • Pseudotumors from metal debris
  • Allergic reactions
  • Permanent muscle and tissue damage
 

Symptoms caused by defective DePuy hip devices

If you are the recipient of an ASR hip device and experience any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that your ASR hip unit is defective and potentially dangerous:

  • Hip pain
  • Groin pain
  • Thigh pain
  • Pain while walking
  • Pain when getting up from seated position
  • Pain bearing weight
  • Swelling

If you had hip surgery after July 2003 and received a DePuy ASR hip implant, you should obtain immediate legal representation from an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer. Call The Yankowitz Law Firm at 1-800-LAW-3333 to protect your rights and obtain the justice and financial compensation you deserve.