DePuy Hip Replacement Recall

While total hip arthroplasty is a common procedure, there are risks involved. Some patients are experiencing problems following the DePuy hip replacement recall. Opening the joint, removing damaged portions of the pelvic socket, and implanting the prosthesis can lead to serious complications. Some are discovered and resolved quickly. Others may surface years down the road. Patients who received the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System may confront additional problems, such as early loosening, and even dislocation, of the joint. These issues led to a recent DePuy hip recall.

Below, we’ll describe the most common problems patients encounter following hip replacement surgery. You’ll also learn the reasons many recipients of the ASR XL have explored their legal options, including filing a DePuy hip lawsuit.

Infection Of The Hip Implant

The presence of foreign material in the body increases the risk of infection. If it occurs in the soft tissues surrounding your hip, your body’s immune system may be able to control it. Antibiotics can help. If, however, bacteria is found on the implant itself, the immune system is essentially made impotent. It cannot reach the bacteria, and thus will be unable to manage it.

Prolonged infection can become life-threatening. Even in the short run, it may cause the implant to loosen. Most cases are resolved by removing the prosthesis.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Blood clots are always a risk during, and after, total hip arthroplasty. When they form, they typically do so in the deep veins of the legs. This can occur due to pressure placed on the vessels during the procedure as well as a lack of mobility following it.

Anticoagulants may be given after the operation if your orthopedist believes the risk of clotting is substantial.

Bone Fractures

While implanting a hip replacement, the surgeon may inadvertently fracture the bone. In most cases, the fractures are tiny and heal on their own. Larger ones may be addressed with bone grafts.

Premature Loosening Of The DePuy ASR

Loosening of the acetabular component (cup) or femoral stem can occur with any hip implant. Fortunately, the industry’s average failure rate is very low (less than 3 percent). One of the reasons for the DePuy hip recall was that the prosthesis had a failure rate near 13 percent. Many of the reported problems were due to loosening of the components within a few years of the device’s implantation.

If the pain caused by a loose cup or femoral stem is substantial, the failing implant can be removed via revision surgery. Because the procedure usually results in bone damage, however, orthopedists recommend that patients postpone it as long as possible.

Metal Contamination Of The Soft Tissue

The components of the ASR are constructed primarily of cobalt and chromium. When the patient moves her hip, the femoral ball – which takes the place of the natural femoral head – rotates inside the cup. As it does so, the surfaces of the ball and cup make contact.

The friction produces metallic debris. Tiny metal ions flake off the components, and land in the nearby tissues. They also enter the bloodstream. Following the DePuy hip replacement recall, the manufacturer suggested that patients should be tested for high levels of metal in their blood. The ASR XL was discovered to generate more debris than other hip prostheses.

Bone Deterioration

Metal contamination can slowly compromise the bone stock of the pelvic socket. This occurs over time as metallic ions are delivered through the bloodstream to the bone tissue. The bone starts to degrade as calcium is transferred to the blood via a process known as resorption.

This is particularly problematic with the ASR since the device is usually implanted without surgical cement. A bond is formed between the patient’s bone and the porous surfaces of the components. As resorption progresses, the bone weakens, causing fractures that eventually allow the joint to loosen.

The ASR hip replacement system was implanted in over 93,000 people before the DePuy recall. With a 13 percent failure rate, there are likely thousands of patients who have already experienced complications, or will do so in the future. If you are suffering from hip pain, joint looseness, or other serious side effects, you may be able to file a claim. Contact a DePuy hip lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your case.