DePuy ASR Hip Implants Recalled

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recently recalled 93,000 DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Systam Implants and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System implants globally. The number of products recalled in just the United States rose to 36,000. The recall is based on a large number of hip failures and revision surgeries being reported since 2006. The failure rate for ASR hip implants has been increasing over the last few years. In 2007, there were 100 cases of implant failures. This number rose to 200 cases in 2008 and 300 cases in 2009. DePuy first addressed this steady increase in hip implant failure by taking the hip replacement device off the Australian market in December of 2009, although at the time the company claimed that the product was being discontinued as a result of low sales. Only in August of 2010 did DePuy inform physicians of the ASR hip replacement failures.

While the DePuy company asserts that “this recall means additional testing and monitoring may be necessary to ensure your hip replacement is functioning well”, there are some cases where additional surgery has been necessary. In fact, approximately 12% of patients (1 in 8) who received the ASR resurfacing device and 13% of patients (1 in 8) who received the ASR total hip replacement needed to have a second surgery termed a revision surgery.

DePuy started manufacturing these two products in 2003. Patients undergoing hip replacement surgery since that time may be affected by the recall. Those patients should be alert to any pain or dysfunction that could indicate a loosening or dislocation of the replacement hip or bone fracturing around the replacement site. In addition, it is advised that patients contact their healthcare providers to inquire about their replacement hip.

The Firm of Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC has been closely monitoring the DePuy recall and some of the risks that patients may need to be aware of related the defective ASR implant. Much of this information, as well as some basic legal issues that could arise, is available through the CSS Firm News Blog.

In addition to this information, if you or a loved one has received the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System and have experienced some type of hip pain, additional hip surgery, or some type of failure with your hip replacement, you may want to contact CSS Firm for a free case evaluation and consultation. Our experienced team of hip implant lawyers will work closely with you and see to it that you are compensated for your injuries.