Information About Filing a DePuy ASR Hip Implant Lawsuit

Have You Recently Underwent a Hip Replacement Procedure?

Introduction

DePuy Orthopaedics, owned by Johnson & Johnson, has issued a voluntary recall of two of its ASR hip implant devices. According to the company, the patient revision surgery rate is double that of the industry average. A new unpublished study from the National Joint Registry of England & Wales (NJR) discovered that one in eight patients who received the ASR hip implants required a second or revision surgery five years after they received the implant.

The recall comes amid a string of quality-control problems at the company’s non-prescription drug operations and includes the ASR XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. At least twelve to thirteen percent of patients who received the DePuy ASR hip implant devices have required a second surgery.

David Floyd, the president of DePuy Orthopaedics, said the company is committed to covering reasonable and customary costs associated with their customers’ revision surgeries. However, if you’re one of the 93,000 people who’ve had a DePuy ASR hip implant, you may be eligible to seek additional compensation because of the negligent design of the DePuy ASR hip implant device and the company’s failure to warn about the potential risks caused by the ASR hip device earlier. Compensation you might be eligible to seek includes medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.

Contact Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. to speak with our understanding and experienced DePuy hip recall lawyers. These medical injury lawyers will evaluate your case, answer your questions and help you understand your legal rights, including filling a DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuit.

What Are DePuy ASR Hip Implants?

The ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System are both artificial hip implants manufactured by the DePuy Orthopaedics unit of Johnson & Johnson. The Hip Resurfacing System has been available since 2003 for use outside the United States, whereas the Acetabular system has been in use around the world since 2004. Then DePuy took both ASR hip implant devices off the market in 2009.

Who Is At Risk?

The risk of DePuy hip failures were especially high in women followed by patients whose femoral head (or ball) is smaller than 50mm. In addition, both implants were popular with younger patients because the devices were supposed to reduce the chance of dislocation.

If you have received a DePuy ASR hip implant, contact your orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation of the implant to determine whether it may be experiencing problems.

DePuy ASR Hip Implant Symptoms & Tests

The patients who reported problems in the first five years and had revision surgery reported a variety of symptoms. These symptoms included pain, swelling and problems walking. If your symptoms are persistent, it could be a sign of a more serious problem such as:

• Loosening caused when the implant does not stay attached to the bone
• Fracture(s) where the bone around the implant may have broken
• Dislocation caused when the two parts of the implant that move against each other become misaligned

The ASR Hip is made up of ball and socket components that move against each other. These metal components wear over time and release microscopic particles around the patient’s hip. Some patients react to these particles, causing fluid to collect in the joint and in the surrounding muscles. This condition could initially be painless. If left untreated, though, it may cause pain and swelling around the joint and could damage a person’s muscles, bones and nerves in the area.

Even if you are not yet experiencing these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your surgeon if you have a DePuy ASR hip implant because the body’s reaction to the metal particles released by the hip implant device could be asymptomatic.

Tests will help your surgeon determine if your hip is working as it should and whether you are having a reaction to the metal particles. Your surgeon may take X-rays of your hip. Also, a blood test may be done to check the levels of metal particles around your hip. Your surgeon may also use an ultrasound or MRI to determine if you are having a reaction.

Contact Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. handles many types of litigation including medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, auto/truck collisions and premises liability cases. For more information or to ask any questions you have about filing a DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuit, please contact our injury lawyers or call (800)-553-3125 or email us at mhass@hassakislaw.com.