DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Recall Lawsuits
On August 24, 2010, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. announced the recall of the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System hip replacement implant. If you or a loved one received this implant, surgery will likely be necessary to remove and replace the device (revision surgery). Any person who received the DePuy ASR should seek legal counsel -- otherwise you risk being shortchanged for your injuries by corporate giant Johnson & Johnson.
The DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Defect
The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System is a metal-on-metal total hip replacement device. It was used for hip replacement surgeries beginning in July 2005 until early 2010, but is now off the market. It was implanted in approximately 93,000 patients.
Johnson & Johnson defectively designed the DePuy ASR hip system by providing insufficient coverage of the cup resulting in the forces of the ball against the cup over concentrating at a particular spot (usually the edge of the cup). The DePuy ASR defect causes a variety of problems, which ultimately require revision surgery:
- Loosening of the Hip Implant: the implant does not stay attached to the bone in the proper position.
- Dislocation of the DePuy ASR: where two parts of the implant that move against each other are no longer aligned.
- Fracture of the Hip Bone: the bone to which the implant is attached breaks.
- Release of Metal Ions into the Body: Metal-on-metal implants cause metal particles to be shed into the body and the implants to wear down. The metal particles can damage the tissue and bone around the implant, causing loosening of the hip.
Determining Whether Your DePuy ASR Hip Replacement is Injuring You
Everyone who received a DePuy ASR hip implant should be tested for disease-causing cobalt and chromium metal ions in their blood. Release of these metal ions into the body is a result of the ASR's metal-on-metal design. These metal ions may be injuring you even if you don't have any outward symptoms. It is extremely important to determine whether this is happening to you early, because early revision of poorly performing hip replacements in these circumstances improves the chances of success of your revision surgery.
For those who received the DePuy ASR who do experience symptoms, these are the most common:
- Difficulty walking
- Hip pain
- Thigh or groin pain
- Pain when rising from a seated position
- Pain when walking or bearing weight
- High levels of microscopic metal particles around the hip (this is determined by a blood test)
- Dislocation of the implant
- Swelling
Importantly, as outlined above, even if you don't have these symptoms, the DePuy ASR still may be harming you and/or ultimately will need to be replaced.
DePuy ASR Hip Implant Litigation
If your hip replacement surgery or that of your loved one used a DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System, the attorneys at DeCarli Law can help you. Johnson & Johnson should be held accountable for the injuries caused by its defective product because they knew of the defects in the DePuy ASR, yet continued to sell it. Furthermore, even though Johnson & Johnson might claim it will compensate you for your injuries, without a lawyer fighting for your interests, you risk signing away your rights without receiving the compensation you deserve. Contact DeCarli Law for a free, confidential, no-obligation telephone consultation.