DePuy Hip Implant Recall

DePuy Orthopaedics announced a recall of two of its hip replacement systems, the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System, on August 26, 2010. The DePuy hip recall affected many consumers, some of whom experienced pain and other problems which required a revision surgery. While DePuy’s offer of compensation through the recall covers costs of medical bills after insurance, it does not cover lost wages, projected long-term medical issues, or other damages, such as pain and suffering.

If you were implanted with a recalled DePuy hip replacement, contact our experienced product liability attorneys today. Don’t wait until hip implant failure; fill out our simple form to discuss your legal options through a free, no-obligation consultation.

DePuy ASR Metallosis

The DePuy ASR system is constructed of metal-on-metal components, which has posed some issues for patients who have had the device implanted. Where other DePuy devices had a protective plastic layer separating them, the ASR system places the metal ball portion of the joint replacement directly onto the metal surface inside the socket.

As the device wears, metallic debris is deposited into the surrounding tissues. A small amount of debris is expected in most hip replacements, but the ASR system leaves what experts believe to be excessive levels of metal in a patient’s system. Excessive levels of cobalt, one of the metals used in recalled DePuy hip replacements, can lead to cobaltism, which may manifest as tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, blindness, optic nerve damage, convulsions, headaches, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and/or hypothyroidism. Patients are at risk for cobaltism regardless of whether they have felt the other symptoms of hip implant failure, and should speak with an attorney immediately if they have received a DePuy ASR hip implant.

Hip Implant Failure with DePuy ASR Systems

According to data collected by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales, within five years 1 in 8 patients with a recalled DePuy hip replacement would require revision surgery. The system is supposed to last for 15 years. DePuy hip implant failure is often painful, interfering with daily tasks such as walking. Additionally, patients may experience the following symptoms of DePuy hip implant failure:

• Swelling
• Pain upon standing
• Pain in the hip or groin area
• Pain and/or difficulty bearing weight

Patients who have not yet experienced the symptoms of a DePuy hip replacement failure should still seek legal guidance in light of the recent recall, ensuring that they are protected in the case of future complications.

DePuy Hip Replacement Recall Attorneys

While DePuy has offered financial compensation to patients implanted with the defective devices, this offer may not cover the full scope of financial and emotional hardship experienced among their patients. Speaking with an experienced DePuy recall lawyer can educate victims of these defective devices on the full scope of their legal options and help them determine if pursuing a DePuy hip replacement lawsuit is right for them.

If you or a loved one has been implanted with a recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement system, contact our Georgia law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.