Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopedics unit has recalled the LPS knee replacement due to 10 reports of fracture, loosening, and premature failure. Knee replacement devices are supposed to last 15 years, but defective knee replacements can fail prematurely, cause debilitating complications, and may require revision surgery.
UPDATE: DePuy Sigma Knee Lawsuit Filed in Hawaii
July 24, 2014 — A man from Hawaii who says his DePuy Sigma knee implant failed within just 15 months has filed a lawsuit (PDF) alleging that the implant was defective. Click here to read more.
Class 1 DePuy LPS Implant Recall
August 1, 2013 — DePuy has recalled another component of the Limb Preservation System (LPS) — the LPS Lower Extremity Dovetail Intercalary component can fracture under normal loads. Click here to read more.
DePuy Knee Replacement Recall 2013
In February 2013, DePuy issued a Class 1 recall of the Limb Preservation System (LPS) knee replacement, warning that problems with the device could cause severe injury or even death. The diaphyseal sleeve is a component of the LPS system that helps fit the implant in place.
Unfortunately, the taper connection between the diaphyseal sleeve and the implant’s base may not be strong enough to support the weight of some patients while walking. This could lead to loosening, fracture of the knee replacement, infection, bone fracture, loss of the limb, or even death. In a 2013 knee recall Safety Warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
This may result in fracture of the sleeve at the taper joint which may also lead to loss of function or loss of limb, infection, compromised soft tissue or death.
DePuy Knee Replacement Problems
- Pain in the knee joint
- Abnormal sounds (popping, clicking, scraping, or grinding)
- Instability in the knee
- Loosening or dislocation of the implant
- Bone loss (osteolysis)
- Bone fracture
- Limited mobility
- Loss of limb
- Loss of limb function
- Inflammation, swelling in the knee
- Infection
- Soft tissue damage
- Revision surgery
- And more
DePuy Knee Lawsuit Settlement in Australia
December 4, 2012 — Bloomberg reports that Australian patients who were implanted with defective DePuy LCS Duofix Femoral implants were paid $30,000 to $65,000 in compensation. The knee implants were recalled in 2009 after they were implanted in 5,071 people. In comparison, DePuy has paid about $200,000 per case to settle individual DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuits.