Johnson & Johnson’s implant manufacturing devision, DePuy, has recently recalled two of its metal-on-metal hip implant models after research found that approximately 1 out of every 8 patients with a hip implant needed a corrective revision surgery due to implant erosion, which releases bits of cobalt and chromium metals into the body.
Do I Have a DePuy Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one have had a hip implant and experienced implant erosion or failure, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a DePuy hip implant lawsuit.
Metal-on-metal Hip Implants: An Overview
Hip replacement surgeries are often conducted to completely replace the hip joint in patients with severe arthritis or joint damage as a result of hip fracture.
Metal-on-metal implants, implants where both the artificial ball and cup are made of metal, account for nearly one-third of the estimated 250,000 replacements performed each year. To date, over 93,000 patients have received a hip implant from the Johnson & Johnson implant manufacturing devision, DePuy.
Made from metal alone, DePuy’s Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System were two hip replacement systems believed to last longer than traditional metal and plastic implants. Additionally, they were considered advantageous because the materials were supposed to result in less tissue and bone loss in patients during surgery.
On August 24, 2010, both the ASR XL Acetabular and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System were voluntarily recalled by DuPuy as the metal fittings were found to erode, releasing dangerous metal debris into the body. As a result of an eroding implant, patients experienced severe and painful side effects that included increased levels of cobalt and chromium in the blood, infection, soft-tissue damage, and bone fracture.
Typically, a hip replacement should last up to 15 years or more, but metal-on-metal implants like the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System failed after only a few years.
Due to the severity of the symptoms associated with malfunctioning DePuy metal-on-metal hip implants, you or someone you know may want to contact a DePuy metal-on-metal hip replacement lawyer or attorney with The Clark Firm for a free consultation to discuss the potential for a DePuy metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit.
DePuy Hip Implant Class Action Lawsuit Information
DePuy Orthopedics has agreed to pay at least $2.5 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits involving defective metal-on-metal hip implants. These lawsuits are not part of a DePuy hip implant class action — instead, they are individual claims. DePuy is facing over 5,000 Pinnacle hip implant lawsuits in Texas (MDL No. 2244) and another 8,600 ASR hip implant lawsuits in Ohio (MDL No. 2197).
Signs and Symptoms of a Failing Hip Implant
The following list of symptoms may be a sign that your hip implant may be failing:
- Loosening and misalignment of the hip replacement component
- Infection
- Bone fracture
- Dislocation
- Metal sensitivity
- Pain
- Soft-tissue damage
- Debris inside the body
- Difficulty walking
- Tumors
- Rash
- Inflammation
- Blood poisoning
- Presence of toxic metals in the blood
FDA Study and Warning
New York Times August 22, 2011 — As of August, the FDA reports is has received more than 5,000 adverse event reports in 2011 involving metal-on-metal hip replacement systems, more than the agency had received about those devices in the four previous years combined. Of these, 75 percent were DePuy ASR hips.
The New York Times estimated there were 7,500 total complaints about ASR implants between 2007 and June 2011.
With hip replacements being one of the most common procedures conducted in the United States, metal-on-metal implants account for one-third of the 25,000 hip replacements performed each year. According to one estimate, some 500,000 patients have received an all-metal replacement hip.
In May 2011, the FDA ordered procedures to study how frequently the metal-on-metal devices are failing and to examine threats to patients.
With the number of questions and problems growing with metal-on-metal inserts, surgeons are abandoning the implants, opting for safer alternatives — implants that combine metal and plastic components.
Hip Recall
On August 26, 2010, DePuy issued a ASR hip recall of 93,000 ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing devices sold worldwide. Since 2007, nearly 7,500 injuries have been linked to DePuy ASR hip complications. DePuy said it was issuing the recall due to the number of patients who required a second hip replacement procedure, called a revision surgery.
The DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System was introduced in 2003 and the ASR XL Acetabular System was launched in 2004. Prior to the recall, DePuy says it discontinued the ASR System in 2009.
Said DePuy about the recall:
“DePuy intends to cover reasonable and customary costs of monitoring and treatment for services, including revision surgeries, associated with the recall of ASR.”
Johnson & Johnson (DePuy) Hip Replacement Implant Study
The National Joint Registry of England and Wales conducted a study of DePuy hip implants. The study’s results found 1 in 8 patients who received an ASR implant required a second replacement or revision surgery. Of the patients who received a ASR XL Acetabular System implant, 13 percent needed a second operation. Of the patients who received the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, 12 percent required a revision surgery.
The study concluded that females with a femoral head size smaller than 55 were at the highest risk of implant malfunction.
In its recall announcement, DePuy referenced the National Joint Registry of England and Wales study as evidence for the need to discontinue use of the products.
Metal-on-metal Implant Manufacturers
The following manufacturers are currently marketing metal-on-metal hip implants:
- DePuy
- Zimmer
- Wright Medical
- Biomet
DePuy Knee Implant Recalls
DePuy’s hip implant systems were not the only products to be recalled. Several of DePuy’s knee replacement systems have also been recalled.
In 2008, DePuy voluntarily recalled its LCS Knee – Orthopedic Knee Implant, Meniscal Bearing Insert. The product was labeled incorrectly and was mis-etched for size.
On August 19, 2010, the FDA sent a letter of warning to Johnson & Johnson to stop illegally marketing its Corail Hip Systems and its TruMatch Personalized Solutions Systems. According to the FDA, both systems were marketed in unapproved ways by DePuy. DePuy claimed the coating in the Corail Hip implant aided in post-surgical healing and assisted in keeping the device in place. These claims were never sent to the FDA during the product’s initial approval.
The TruMatch Personalized Solutions System was being marketed without ever being approved by the FDA. The system used a special form of technology to produce a 3-D model of the patient’s knee, which the surgeon could use to design a better implant device.
Do I Have a DePuy Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free DePuy metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit review or you may also call us directly by dialing (866) 879-3040.