Posted: February 2, 2011
Johnson and Johnson the owner of Depuy has issued a recall on their Depuy hip Implant. There are multiple claims all across the country regarding this dangerously defective hip implant. Immediately below is what Depuy says on their own web site. DePuy makes patient safety and health a top priority and is continually evaluating data about its products. The DePuy ASR Hip is one of many hip replacements available from DePuy Orthopaedics. Most ASR hip replacement surgeries have been successful. However, data recently received by the company shows that more people than expected who received the ASR Hip System experienced pain and other symptoms that led to a second hip replacement surgery, called a revision surgery. New data shows that five years after implantation, approximately 12% of patients 1 in 8 who had received the ASR resurfacing device and 13% of patients 1-8 who had received the ASR total hip replacement needed to have a revision surgery. For this reason, DePuy Orthopaedics is recalling its ASR™ XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. This recall means additional testing and monitoring may be necessary to ensure your hip implant is functioning well. In some cases patients may need additional surgery. If you have received an ASR™ XL Acetabular System or DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System, both of which will be referred to as your hip implant, the following information will help you understand what this ASR hip recall means to you and the steps you should take. Note: The DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System was only approved for use outside the U.S. and the ASR™ XL Acetabular System was available worldwide. symptoms The patients who reported problems in the first five years and had revision surgery reported a variety of symptoms. These symptoms included pain, swelling and problems walking. These symptoms are normal if you have just had a hip replacement. If the symptoms continue or come back, it is a sign that there may be a problem.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had been receiving complaints regarding the design failure in DePuy hip implants for over two years - around 400 complaints in the United States. According to The New York Times, some orthopedic experts are appalled that DePuy did not recall their devices earlier. There has been a lot of coverage of the 2010 (Depuy Recall) recently, and it’s difficult to know who to believe. If you or someone you love had a Depuy Hip Replacement installed since 2003, this recall will affect you. You will need an experienced hip replacement lawyer who understands how to fight against a massive corporation., Here are the facts of the case:
- Depuy ASR models – recalled hip replacements: the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System.
- There are about 93,000 people worldwide affected by the recall.
- The company is recommending that patients who received these defective hip replacements see their surgeons for a follow-up appointment.
- Patients experiencing any pain associated with their hip replacements should see a medical professional immediately. It is important both medically and legally to determine whether you have a defective hip replacement.
- In the most severe cases, patients need revision surgery. This painful, costly, invasive process requires months of recovery.
- Already 12%-13% of DePuy hip replacement patients have needed revision surgery.
- Hip replacements should last 15 years, but many of DePuy’s ASR hip replacement devices have lasted less than five.
- The most common complications associated with the recalled hip replacements are pain and stiffness. However, some of the replacements have deteriorated and released metal particles into the blood.
- Victims in 12 states have filed lawsuits against DePuy.
DePuy claims it will cover all of its patients’ “reasonable” expenses. What does “reasonable” mean? The company, a division of multibillion-dollar corporation Johnson & Johnson, has already failed its customers . In addition, many of the lawsuits filed against the company claim that DePuy knew about the problems long before the recall. What Some Attorneys Recommend for Recalled Hip Replacement DePuy Patients One thing attorneys are advising patients not to do is sign away their rights to DePuy and Johnson & Johnson. The company wants patients to give up personal medical records. In exchange, DePuy claims it will pay patients for legitimate expenses incurred due to its defective hip replacements. The company also wants patients to send back the original defective hip implant. However, providing this information or the replacement itself would be a poor decision. You don’t want to sign away your rights to DePuy Recall. A better decision would be to call an experienced hip replacement lawyer. That is why many patients have chosen legal action against DePuy. By Anthony Castelli Cincinnati personal injury lawyer Call 1-800-447-6549 for a FREE NO Obligation consultation
