Depuy ASR Hip Implant Recall

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DePuy ASR Hip Implant Injuries

Injuries have been reported among some patients who received a DePuy metal-on-metal hip implant. The injuries, caused by early failure of the artificial hip systems, have required that certain patients undergo replacement surgery within five years of the initial implant.

Due to the high volume of early failures, the company has issued a voluntary recall of some 93,000 hip implants. The recalled devices include the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System. The recall was announced Aug. 26, 2010.

Both systems are metal-on-metal hip implants.

DePuy ASR Hip Prosthesis and Implants

Hip prostheses are surgically implanted in patients who suffer pain and loss of normal hip function due to:

Fracture
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply)

In determining whether or not to do an implant, the surgeon takes into account among other things the patient’s bone density, defects, shape, and biomechanics of the bones and hip joint.

Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants and Joints

For years, the parts of the joint where the bones meet have been made of a strong plastic or polyethylene substance. The ball and socket of the joint are made of metal, but are separated by a plastic spacer. The implant metal can be titanium, stainless steel, or cobalt chrome.

Metal-on-metal implants came into use because it was believed they lasted longer. But, it isn’t certain that is the case. Surgeons and patients are concerned about the wear of the metal rubbing against metal, producing large amounts of debris. The debris can lead to:

Severe inflammatory responses in some patients
Damaged muscles
Damage to other soft tissue
The need to do a follow up operation soon after the original implant is done; this is called a revision
Accumulation of metal ions throughout the body

High Early Failure Rate and DePuy ASR Implants

DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, recently said it was phasing out artificial hip implants because sales were lagging.

However, the company recently released a warning that the implant may have a high rate of failure soon after implant surgery. The DePuy implant has been failing in numerous patients after only a few years, whereas hip implants normally last 15 years or longer. Many orthopedists, patients, and others affected by this revelation have expressed dismay about being told of this problem months after it became apparent through post-marketing research studies.

“It is way too late,” according to Dr. Stephen Graves, an Australian researcher who has conducted studies in the area and directs an implant database.

The company recalled the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System Aug. 26, 2010.

Have You Been Injured by a Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant?

If your artificial hip implant failed and you had to have replacement surgery, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. To find out more information, contact our DePuy hip implant lawyers today. We are available to investigate these types of claims.

Product Liability Breaking News

"DePuy Orthopaedics facing lawsuits for 2 recalled hip systems"

The number of lawsuits involving defective hip implants made by DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., continue to stack up in court. DePuy, a division of Johnson...

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