ASR DePuy Hip Implant System
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Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy, led thousands of patients with damaged hips to believe that their now recalled ASR Hip Replacement System which uses a metal-on-metal device, will improve the pain and mobility of their hip. However, the danger of a metal-on-metal device has proven to be just as harmful as a damaged hip, if not more so.
Concerns arise because the metal in the implant contains the elements cobalt and chromium, which can be hazardous, even carcinogenic. Shards of this metal have been known to grind off of the ASR hip implant damaging surrounding tissues and muscles, resulting in an increased level of these dangerous metal ions in the body. This can cause intense leg, hip, or groin pains, and in many cases patients have reported pain to the point of immobility.
Other problems include loose-fitting implants, fractures, implant dislocations, and friction transfer to the acetabulum (a concave surface of the pelvis). Additional design flaws include low angle tolerances and shallow cup depth which can also cause malfunctions leading to the need for costly and painful revision surgery.
At least 12% of patients who had an ASR hip implant surgery (which appears to be in excs of 93,000 people acording to reprts) have had a secondary surgery. Revision surgery is even riskier than the initial surgery if metal has been shaved off thanks to the ions of metal that now surround the neighboring tissue. The cost of replacement procedures can range anywhere from $50,000-$100,000 depending on your location and medical provider. This does not even include the extensive rehab and physical therapy that will follow the hip replacement surgery which unquestionably will cost thousands more.
The ASR hip implant failure rate has been steadily growing since 2007 when 100 cases were reported. This grew to 200 cases in 2008 and 300 cases in 2009. In December 2009 these high rates could no longer be ignored and DePuy took the hip replacement device off the Australian market. Although problems with the implant had been apparent for more than two years, DePuy claimed the product was being removed due to slow sales. It was not until March 2010, almost three years after statements of failure were first reported, that DePuy informed physicians of the failures of the ASR hip replacement.
Here is a video on the recall:
A hip replacement recall was finally announced on July 17, 2010 by Depuy, after years of reported pain from patients, proof of failures and lack of ethics from DePuy. The company acknowledged data that shows that the ASR Hip Resurfacing System has a 12% failure rate and that the ASR XL Acetabular System has a 13% failure rate. Women tend to be at a greater risk of failure than men. The recall covers 29 models of the ASR 100 and 300 Acetabular Implants in cup sizes ranging from 44mm to 70 mm.
Some of the most serious cases, according to reports and studies have been seen in women with smaller hip implant systems of 50mm or less.
If you or someone you love have fallen victim to the failed DePuy ASR hip implant, contact attorney Ed Wallis and Tim Edwards for a free case evaluation and consultation for your defective hip implant. Our hip implant recall lawyers continue to review claims all over the country in an effort to help those affected by this dangerous product. Our experienced Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas hip implant lawyers will work closely with you to ensure you get the care and justice you deserve.
If you have recently had hip replacement or think you may have a hip implant subject to the recent DePuy Orthopaedics Recall, here are the top ten questions you may want to ask:
1. What type of hip implant do you have?
It’s best to ask your doctor exactly what type of hip implant you have. Just recently, DePuy Orthopeadics recalled their ASR XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. This recall has affected more than 93,000 patients and you may be one of them. The exact device and model number will be detailed in your medical records or chart.
2. What kinds of signs or symptoms do I look for if my hip implant is failing?
You may be having pain around that area, difficulty walking, inflammation or other symptoms. You may want to get X-rays, MRIs and blood work done immediately. Your orthopedic surgeon can help you with these matters. Call their office right away to discuss your plan of care and treatment.
3. Will I get some type of poisoning or infection from the metal in the hip implant if something goes wrong?
Ask your doctor to take blood tests. They will indicate the level of metal particles around your hip. Your doctor may need to conduct several blood tests over the next couple of months as well because the levels of metal may be high even without noticeable symptoms.
4. Is additional surgery necessary?
It is very likely the answer is yes of you have a DePuy Hip Implant subject to this recall. See your orthopedic surgeon to discuss this potential problem. The only way to fix or repair a defective hip implant is do have a second surgery or implant. This surgery is called revision surgery.
5. Are there any risks to having revision surgery?
There are risks to having any type of surgery. This is a very painful and complicated procedure. A second hip surgery is usually lengthier and more intense. There is usually more blood loss as well as a longer recovery after surgery.
6. How long is recovery if I undergo revision surgery?
For the first hip surgery, recovery is about six months to a year. If you have experienced or suffered from hip implant failure, you may be left with a physical disability or permanent limp even with the best available medical care and surgeon. Recovery from a revision surgery may take months to even years to fully recover.
7. What if the blood work is normal and I am not feeling any symptoms of pain after my hip implant, do I still need to have revision surgery?
This is on a case to case basis. It’s best to seek the advice of your doctor.
8. Should I hire an attorney?
If you or a loved one has received the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System and have experienced some type of hip pain, additional hip surgery, some type of failure with your hip replacement, you may want to contact attorneys Tim Edwards and Ed Wallis who practice medical device litigation across the country for a free case evaluation and consultation. Our experienced team of DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers will work closely with you and see to it that you are compensated for your injuries. If you do not contact us to discuss your hip implant recall, do call another firm or attorney. Your heath, well-being and future are too important to take chances.
9. How can I get copies of my medical records to an attorney?
This can be arranged with your attorney and your doctor. The medical records will become a form of evidence if any legal claim is pursued. We routinely obtain all the records for our clients and other items of evidence so our clients can focus on their treatment, care and the healing process.
10. Should I surrender my defective hip implant to the company?
You should ask your attorney about this question but our position is that you should retain the hip implant hardware yourself in a specially approved storage kit. Our office now provides these special hip implant storage kits to our clients to ensure they are adequately preserved. This is very important decision because the removed hardware will become critical evidence in your claim against DePuy in the days ahead. DePuy may claim they want to keep the hardware to run some tests or for other purposes but ultimately the decision is yours. It is your hardware because you paid for it so do not let anyone tell you anything to the contrary. It is very likely DePuy will use any adverse findings against you in your claim if you allow them to retain your hip implant hardware so please carefully consider this question. If you have questions about the retention of your implanted hardware give us a call as we are happy to help.
