DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers
DePuy Orthopaedics is the largest manufacturer of hip replacements in the world. If you are affected by a defective hip please contact our DePuy hip recall lawyers for a free no-obligation consultation. Their hip prostheses have been implanted into hundreds of thousands of patients over the past several years. In 2004, they released their ASR XL Acetabular System, an implant designed to be installed without the use of surgical bone cement. The company positioned the device as a technological breakthrough. They claimed the prosthesis would last longer than other designs, and provide recipients with a more natural range of motion. On August 24, 2010, a DePuy hip recall was announced for the ASR XL Acetabular implant.
At the time of the announcement, the joint manufacturer stated that the failure rate of the ASR had climbed to 13 percent. That is, one in eight patients who received the prosthesis would need early revision surgery to have it replaced. Pulling the device off the market was an appropriate decision. It now appears this number is inaccurate. New evidence shows the true failure rate for the ASR hip implant could be several times higher.
Potential DePuy Hip Failures By The Numbers
A statement made by the British Orthopaedic Association and the British Hip Society suggests that up to 49 percent of recipients may need early revision surgery. This revelation came from data presented at an annual conference for the British Hip Society in March 2011.
Four unique sets of audited data were submitted by different facilities. The results from each were consistent with regard to outcomes for the ASR XL Acetabular System. Of the patients who had received the prosthesis, 21 percent needed revision surgery within four years of implantation. The statement went on to say that “if all currently known painful implants progress to revision,” the number could potentially climb to 35 percent. Even more alarming was that 49 percent of recipients needed revision surgery within six years.
Over 93,000 people have received the ASR XL Acetabular System or ASR Hip Resurfacing System, both of which were named in the DePuy hip replacement recall of 2010. According to Bloomberg, 37,000 people in the U.S. received the ASR XL. Assuming a 49 percent failure rate, more than 18,000 people could eventually experience severe complications.
Metal Poisoning, Bone Degradation, And Other Problems
One of the main problems with the ASR hip replacement system is loosening in the acetabular component (cup). The reasons for this particular failure are uncertain, but may stem from an alleged design flaw. Many experienced surgeons have complained that the cup is too shallow. It poses an improper fit with the artificial femoral ball, causing excess friction between the two metal pieces.
The friction leads to a higher-than-average volume of debris that flakes off into the surrounding tissue. This causes soft tissue damage and bone erosion, both of which make the joint less stable. Less stability leads to loosening and possible dislocation of the prosthesis. In some cases reported by the British Hip Society, the body’s reaction to metal contamination includes necrosis. Fluid accumulation, as well as the development of cysts and pseudotumors, were also evident.
Is DePuy’s “Commitment” To Harmed Patients Enough?
When the DePuy hip replacement recall was announced in 2010, the joint manufacturer promised to provide patients with the support they need. The company offered to “cover reasonable and customary costs of testing and treatment for patients who need services, including revision surgery.” Here, it’s worth highlighting the long-term effects of bone erosion, fractures, and soft tissue damage.
Before patients undergo revision surgery, their orthopedists explain that the procedure is likely to be less successful than the original operation. The reason is because of the damage that has been done to the joint. When the ASR loosens, fractures form in the bone. Along with damage to the soft tissues, the joint becomes less capable of supporting a new implant. For this reason, it is common for post-revision prostheses to fail more quickly.
To date, there have been over 600 DePuy lawsuit hip claims filed against the joint manufacturer. If you received an ASR hip implant, and are suffering from hip pain, joint loosening, difficulty walking, or other DePuy side effects, learn more about your legal rights. Contact our DePuy hip recall lawyers to discuss your options.