Defective DePuy Hip Implant Systems
Injured by the DePuy ASR XL Acetubular or Hip Resurfacing System?
Thousands of patients suffering from hip pain in recent years have received metal-on-metal hip implants, including the DePuy ASR XL Acetubular System, which is a total hip replacement, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which places a metal cap on the ball portion of the femur that fits into the hip bone. However, instead of finding relief, many of these patients have instead encountered more pain, more suffering and the need for more treatment – at a steep cost to their physical, mental and financial health. Due to their above-normal failure rates, Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., voluntarily recalled the artificial hip devices in August 2010. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, more than 93,000 of these medical products might have already been sold around the globe, including 37,000 in the United States.
Problems with the DePuy ASR Hip Implant
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a total metal-on-metal hip replacement system such as the DePuy ASR XL Acetubular System features a metal ball (femoral head), metal femoral stem and a metal cup in the hip bone (acetubular component). A hip resurfacing implant, such as the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System, features a trimmed femoral head that is capped with a metal ball.
A problem with metal-on-metal hip implants arises from the metal ball and metal cup rubbing against each other and causing the metal to flake off. The metal debris can lead to bone, nerve or soft tissue damage surrounding the artificial hip implant as well as cobalt and chromium metal ions entering the bloodstream. The FDA has received hundreds of complaints about the DePuy hip replacement systems, including reports of pain and looseness in the hip joint, while the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has reported that nearly 13 percent of patients who have received the devices have needed revision surgery within a mere five years.
After DePuy announced its voluntary recall of its ASR Hip replacement and resurfacing systems in August 2010, the FDA announced in May 2011 that it would require the manufacturers of all metal-on-metal hip implants to study whether their devices were emitting metal debris. This includes artificial hip manufacturers such as Zimmer, Stryker, Biomet and Wright Medical. According to the New York Times, the problems with these hip implants may prompt the FDA to revise its 510(k) process, which clears medical devices if they can be shown to be "substantially equivalent" in safety and effectiveness to other devices on the market.
Signs of a Defective Hip Implant
According to the FDA, symptoms associated with defective metal-on-metal hip implants are:
- Pain in the groin, leg or hip
- Swelling at or near the hip joint
- Inability to walk or run
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Numbness, weakness or changes in one's vision or hearing
- Thyroid problems, such as fatigue and chills
- Kidney issues, such as frequent urination
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to contact an orthopedic physician immediately to determine whether your problems are related to a defective hip implant. In many cases, a revision surgery may be required in which the artificial hip system is replaced, which can be a difficult, costly procedure that may lead to other complications.
Aggressive Representation for DePuy ASR Hip Repair Implant Cases
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our Houston personal injury lawyers take an aggressive approach to protecting our client's rights, even when we are pitted against large medical device companies. We exhaustively research and investigate all cases, including consulting with highly qualified medical experts. By investing our resources, hard work and dedication, we're confident in our ability to deliver successful results – whether it's a settlement at the negotiating table or a verdict in the courtroom.
Our attorneys have tried pharmaceutical cases in state and federal courts across the country, including several cases in which they have served on the steering committees in complex, multi-district litigation (MDL). We strive to obtain compensation for our clients that will pay for their medical expenses, including any therapy, medication or revision surgeries that may be required as a result of receiving a defective metal-on-metal hip implant. We also seek funds that will cover their lost wages and the pain and suffering they have endured.
To schedule your initial case evaluation and to discuss your claim, contact Arnold & Itkin today.