In August 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recalled its ASR hip system. The recall came into effect because of unpublished data from a joint registry in the UK showing the replacement hip’s low rate of success.
The intended lifespan of the hip was 15 years, but DePuy’s ASR XL device was discovered to have a failure rate of 21% after four years and 49% after six years. This caused significant issue as the replacement failing meant patients would experience painful health issues and undergo surgery to replace the defective hip. Patients could experience hip and groin pains, swelling and difficulty walking.
The recalled hip replacement system is made of chromium and cobalt metals, and as such referred to as a Metal-on-Metal hip implant. A problem revealed within the system has been the common occurrence of the ball and socket rubbing against one another causing metal particles to be released into a patient’s bloodstream.
Symptoms related to the release of metal particles into patient’s bloodstream include but are no limited to:
- Skin Rash
- Renal Function Impairment
- Heart Disease
- Sensory and Psychological Changes
Thousands of patients have filed hip failure lawsuits against DePuy. It is important to consult you doctor if you begin experiencing symptoms or pain after having hip replacement surgery. If you or a loved on have had a Metal-on-Metal hip replacement and are experiencing symptoms please call us today!
Wooten Kimbrough, P.A. Orlando Defective Medical Products Attorneys