Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy led thousands of patients with damaged hips to believe that their now-recalled ASR Hip Replacement System would improve the comfort and mobility of their hip. However, metal-on-metal devices like this one have proven to be just as harmful as a damaged hip, if not more so.
At least 12% of patients who had an ASR hip implant surgery (which appears to be in excess of 93,000 people, according to reports) have had a second surgery to fix a faulty implant. Revision surgery can be even riskier than the original surgery, and it can cost upwards of $100,000. This does not include the extensive rehab and physical therapy that will follow the hip replacement surgery.
People harmed by this defective product have a right to seek legal justice. The Depuy ASR hip implant lawyers at Childers, Schlueter & Smith are evaluating cases from across the nation. If you’ve been harmed, contact us today. Our skilled product liability attorneys may be able to help.
DePuy Hip Implant Complications
The metal in the implant contains the elements cobalt and chromium, which can be hazardous and even carcinogenic. Shards of this metal have been known to grind off of the ASR hip implant, damaging surrounding tissues and muscles and increasing the level of these dangerous metal ions in the body. This can cause intense leg, hip, or groin pains, and in many cases, patients have reported pain to the point of immobility.
Other problems include:
- Loose-fitting implants
- Fractures
- Implant dislocations
- Friction transfer to the acetabulum (a concave surface of the pelvis)
It was not until March 2010 — almost three years after hip failures were first reported — that DePuy informed physicians of the failures of the ASR hip replacement. Depuy finally recalled the ASR hip system in July 2010. The company acknowledged that the ASR system had a 12% failure rate and that the ASR XL Acetabular System had a 13% failure rate, though news reports suggest the company was well aware that this rate was actually far higher.
Women tend to be at a greater risk of failure than men. The recall covers 29 models of the ASR 100 and 300 Acetabular Implants in cup sizes ranging from 44mm to 70 mm. Anyone experiencing problems with their ASR hip implant should reach out to a skilled attorney right away.
Critical Questions to Ask Before Filing a Case
If you think you may have a hip implant subject to the recent DePuy recall, here are some questions you may want to ask:
What Type of Hip Implant do You Have?
It’s best to ask your doctor exactly what type of hip implant you received. DePuy recalled their ASR XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. This recall has affected more than 93,000 patients, and you may be one of them. The exact device and model number will be detailed in your medical records or chart.
What Kinds of Signs or Symptoms Do I Look for if My Hip Implant is Failing?
You may be having pain, difficulty walking, inflammation, or other symptoms. You may want to get X-rays, MRIs, and blood work done immediately. Your orthopedic surgeon can help you with this. Call your surgeon’s office right away.
Will I Get Some Type of Poisoning or Infection from the Metal in the Hip Implant if Something Goes Wrong?
Your doctor may order one or more blood tests to measures the level of metal particles in your body. Levels of metal may be high even without noticeable symptoms.
Is Additional Surgery Necessary?
If you have a recalled Depuy hip, the answer is likely yes. See your orthopedic surgeon to discuss your options. The only way to fix or repair a defective hip implant is with another surgery. That procedure is called revision surgery.
Are There Any Risks to Having Revision Surgery?
There are risks to having any type of surgery. This is a very painful and complicated procedure. A second hip surgery is usually lengthier, more intensive and may carry a longer recovery time.
How Long is Recovery if I Undergo Revision Surgery?
For the first hip surgery, recovery is about six months to a year. If you have experienced or suffered from hip implant failure, you may be left with a physical disability or permanent limp, even with the best available medical care and surgeon. Recovery from a revision surgery may take months or even years.
If the Blood Work is Normal and I am not Feeling any Symptoms of Pain, Do I Still Need to Have Revision Surgery?
This matter is on a case-by-case basis and is best decided by you and your doctor.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
If you or a loved one received the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System and have experienced severe hip pain, additional hip surgery, or a failure of your hip replacement, contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith for a free case evaluation and consultation. Our experienced team of DePuy hip recall attorneys will work closely with you and see to it that you are compensated for your injuries.
How Can I Get Copies of My Medical Records to an Attorney?
This can be arranged with your attorney and your doctor. The medical records will become a form of evidence if any legal claim is pursued. We routinely obtain all the records for our clients and other items of evidence so our clients can focus on their treatment, care, and the healing process.
Should I Surrender My Defective Hip Implant to the Company?
You should ask your attorney about this, but our position is that you should retain the hip implant hardware yourself in a specially approved storage kit. Our office now provides these special hip implant storage kits to our clients to ensure they are adequately preserved. This is a very important decision because the hardware will become critical evidence in your claim against DePuy in the days ahead.
DePuy may claim they want to keep the hardware to run tests or for other purposes, but ultimately the decision is yours. You paid for it. It belongs to you, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It is very likely DePuy will use any adverse findings against you in your claim if you allow them to retain your hip implant, so please carefully consider this. If you have questions about the retention of your implanted hardware, give us a call.
Contact a DePuy ASR Hip Implant Attorney
If you or someone you love have fallen victim to a failed DePuy ASR hip implant, contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith for a free case evaluation. Our DePuy ASR hip implant lawyers continue to review claims all over the country in an effort to help those affected by this dangerous product. Our experienced attorneys can work closely with you to ensure you get the care and justice you deserve.
Disclaimer: Our description of your legal rights is not intended to imply that any product is defective. That can only be determined through a case-specific investigation.
DePuy is the registered trademark of Depuy Orthopaedics and of Johnson & Johnson Company. The use of this trademark is solely for product identification and informational purposes. Depuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson Company or any of its companies are not affiliated with this website. Both companies and their recalled ASR Hip Implant products have no affiliation with Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC. Nothing on this site has been authorized or approved by Depuy Orthopaedics or Johnson & Johnson Company.
