DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorney

Wisconsin DePuy Hip Recall Attorney

DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has publicly announced the recall of the following hip implant devices:

ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System
DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System

According to DePuy the ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System was sold in the United States and overseas, while the DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System was only sold outside of the United States.

DePuy ASR Hip Recall History

For several years physicians across the world had raised concerns about DePuy Hip Implant devices with the company. Eventually, in 2009, the DePuy ASR Hip Implant was taken off the Australian market, due to safety concerns. In late 2009, DePuy announced that it was planning on phasing out the sale of the DePuy ASR Hip Implant in the United States due to "low sales" of the device. Many hip implant specialists thought this was suspicious, as they were aware of the high failure rate with the DePuy Hip Implant devices. On May 25, 2010, the United Kingdom issued a product safety alert for the DePuy Hip Implant device. However, it was not until August 26, 2010, that DePuy publicly announced the ASR Hip Recall due to higher than normal failure rates among the devices.

DePuy Hip Implant Device Design Defects

Many hip implant experts believe the DePuy Hip Implant was improperly designed. The ASR DePuy Hip Implant device is a metal on metal hip replacement system, as are about 1/3 of the artificial hip implant devices implanted in the United States.

While metal on metal hip implants are not inherently dangerous, the DePuy Hip Implant was designed in such a way that it led to an increased amount of instability of the hip implant. The DePuy Hip Implant also increased the likelihood of wear on the hip device which results in release of metal shavings into the body. The DePuy Hip Implant was also designed in a way that a small number of orthopedic surgeons would actually be able to implant the device in a safe manner.

DePuy Hip Implant Health Problems

The problems associated with the DePuy Hip Implants are numerous and can result in painful ongoing health problems for the patients.

Metallosis

Many patients will experience Metallosis, or a poisoning of the blood and tissue surrounding the DePuy Hip Implant, resulting in significant tissue death, scarring and blood poisoning. Whenever a metal on metal hip implant device is used, there will likely be friction between the implanted metal pieces, resulting in the release of metal ions (debris) into the body. The body reacts to this debris by attacking it with the body's immune system. The DePuy Hip Implant device results in a high amount of friction, which results in an unsafe and an unacceptably high amount of metal ions being released into the body. The metal debris is too much for the body's immune system to handle.

Metallosis is an ongoing process occurring over days, months and years. It is known that the DePuy Hip Implant results in an increase in the bodies natural levels of Cobalt and Chromium. The design of the DePuy Hip Implant results in a high amount of wear between the artificial metal ball and the artifical metal cup. The high amount of wear results in a large release of Cobalt and Chromium metal ions. These metal ions can kill nerve cells, including pain receptors, which can result in significant amounts of tissue death with little or no pain. Metallosis can also result in weakness and deterioration of the bones, resulting in further loosening of the DePuy Hip Implant device.

The concern over Metallosis requires patients with DePuy Hip Implant devices to be monitored by their physicians on a regular basis, including at the very least regular blood testing and physical examinations. Also, because the immune system of the individual is fighting off the metal debris, it becomes compromised and the patient is more susceptible to colds, influenza and other bacterias and viruses.

Hip Revision Surgery

Many patients with the DePuy Hip Implant will eventually have to have their DePuy Hip Implant removed and a new implant device will have to be implanted. This is referred to as Hip Revision Surgery. Many patients with DePuy Hip Implant devices expected their device to last 15-20 years. The increased failure rate of the DePuy Hip Implant device may result in patients needing to undergo 2 or 3 additional hip revision surgeries in their lifetime. In addtion, there are many increased complications associated with undergoing a second hip replacement surgery, including an increased failure rate, an increased rate of surgical complications including infection, and a decrease in the expected life of the new hip device before failure.

Hip Pain

Many patients with the DePuy Hip Implant will experience severe pain in the hip area. This may be due to the failure of the DePuy Hip Implant device, Metallosis, or a number of other causes associated with the DePuy Hip Implant device.

Loosening of the Hip Joint

Many patients can experience a loosening of the DePuy Hip Implant device, causing it to result in instability.

Dislocation of the Hip Joint

Many patients experience dislocation of the DePuy Hip Implant device, causing the ball to come out of the socket.

Pseudotumor

Patients may develop a soft-tissue, tumor-like growth inside the hip area.

DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuits

Many lawsuits have already been filed against DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. across the United States. DePuy has initiated a national campaign to attempt to pay doctors to remove the defective hip implant devices and return them to DePuy as opposed to allowing the patient to keep the defective device. DePuy is also requesting that patients sign a medical authorization allowing DePuy to access patients healthcare records. It is important for anyone that has a DePuy Recalled Hip Implant to protect their rights and contact an attorney, even if they are not having any symptoms at this time.

DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. may be held responsible for the following elements of damages:

Reimbursement of Medical Expenses
Payment of Future Medical Expenses for the following:
- Future Revision Surgery
- Medical Monitoring for Metallosis
- Nursing Home Care
- Life Care Costs
Pain and Suffering
Lost Wages and/or Future Loss of Earning Capacity
Punitive Damages

Contact an Experienced Wisconsin DePuy Hip Implant Attorney

Rozek Law Offices, SC is currently accepting new clients who have received DePuy Hip Implants since 2003. If you or a loved one has a recalled hip implant, be sure to contact a Wisconsin DePuy Hip Implant Attorney.