DePuy Hip Replacements

Overview of DePuy Hip Replacement Complications and claims

Known complications with DePuy Hip Replacements

DePuy hip replacements have been associated with several complications that have led to legal action, including device loosening, metallosis (metal poisoning from metallic debris), and premature device failure requiring revision surgery. The release of metal particles into the body can cause significant pain, reduced mobility, and other systemic health problems.

If you’re considering filing a claim against the manufacturer of DePuy hip replacements, Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can assist you. Working with our law firm also comes with the following benefits:

Why were Depuy Hip Replacements REcalled?

When patients undergo hip replacement surgery, they anticipate an improvement in their quality of life through reduced pain and enhanced mobility. However, for some individuals who received DePuy Orthopaedics’ hip replacements, particularly the ASR™ XL Acetabular System and the ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System, the outcome was far from expected.

Now known as dangerous implants, these products have caused tremendous pain, suffering, and significant costs for the patient related to the additional medical procedures and hospital stays.

Symptoms of a defective DePuy hip replacement system

• Pain
• Local Swelling
• Numbness
• Changes in Ability to Walk
• Skin Rash
• Thyroid Dysfunction
• Metallosis/ Blood Poisoning
• Neurological changes such as auditory or visual impairments

In most of these cases, Johnson & Johnson is choosing to settle out of court. The size of the settlement depended on the level of suffering the patient endured, along with the direct financial burden related to the bad implant.

To date, only 10% of all patients who received a DePuy hip replacement have required additional surgery. Yet more patients are coming forward every day.

DePuy Hip Replacement Injuries: Reasons for complaint

There is more than one reason why victims of faulty hip replacements have sought out lawsuits against DePuy. These reasons include:

Premature device failure

The DePuy ASR hip implants demonstrated a higher-than-average failure rate, with studies showing that about 12-13% of patients required revision surgery within five years—a rate that significantly exceeded the norm for hip replacements.

Severe pain and mobility issues

Many patients experienced severe pain, inflammation, and mobility issues due to the implant’s failure, drastically impacting their daily activities and overall quality of life.

Metallosis

The metal-on-metal design of the ASR systems led to wear and tear that released metal particles into the body, causing metallosis. This condition could lead to tissue death, bone loss, and systemic toxicity, among other health issues.

Need for revision surgery

The high failure rate of the implants meant that many patients had to undergo additional surgeries to replace the failing hip replacements. These surgeries often carried their own risks and complications, not to mention the additional financial burden and emotional distress.

Inadequate testing and disclosure

Many lawsuits have focused on allegations that DePuy did not adequately test the ASR hip implants before market release and failed to warn patients and healthcare providers about the potential risks.

The FDA and DePuy hip replacement recalls

In August 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics issued a voluntary recall of its ASR™ XL Acetabular System and the ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. This decision was based on data that showed an unacceptably high rate of failure, requiring patients to undergo revision surgeries within five years of their initial hip replacement procedure.

Since then, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been actively involved in monitoring and regulating hip replacements, including DePuy’s ASR systems. Though the FDA did not issue a separate recall notice for the ASR systems, its regulatory oversight and post-market surveillance contributed to the identification of issues leading to DePuy’s recall.

The FDA has also issued warnings and guidance on metal-on-metal hip implants in response to the problems identified with such devices, including those from DePuy.

Ready to file a claim for your hip replacement?

Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is here to help you with the legal process.