Every year, approximately 300,000 people will undergo total hip replacement surgery in the United States. Hip replacement surgery can help patients regain their mobility and independence, and depending on the age of the patient, most hip replacements can be expected to last between 10 and 20 years.
Unfortunately, some hip implant devices have been found to fail at much higher rates than normal, and are causing serious health problems for many patients.
Recalled DePuy Hip Implant Devices
DePuy orthopedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, had two of its hip implant devices recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System
- DePuy ASR XL Acetubular System
These devices, which have been linked to high rates of failure and debilitating side-effects, were removed from the market in 2010. It is estimated that as many as 93,000 patients worldwide received a DePuy ASR hip implant prior to the 2010 recall.
Dangerous Side Effects
One of the reasons these devices were recalled is that they are constructed using metal components that rub together and corrode during normal use. This corrosion causes flakes of metal to splinter off and enter the blood stream, bone and tissue surrounding the implanted device.
This corrosion causes painful side effects including:
- Pain in the groin, hip or leg
- Swelling on and around the hip joint
- Painful and pronounced limp
- High levels of metal in the bloodstream, a condition known as Metallosis
- Cobalt or Chromium poisoning
Revision Surgery
Many patients that received a DePuy ASR hip implant were forced to undergo a second, or “revision” surgery, to remove the defective device. Revision surgeries are a dangerous process that can require painful and expensive rehabilitation.
DePuy has set aside billions of dollars to settle claims brought by injured patients that required revision surgery. If you or a loved one received a DePuy hip implant and were forced to undergo a second surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering and medial bills.
Even if you haven’t experienced any problems with your hip replacement, it is important to speak with your doctor to make sure that your hip implant device is functioning normally.
Henson Fuerst Can Help
If you or a loved one received a defective hip implant and have questions about your legal options, call the experienced North Carolina Product Liability attorneys at Henson Fuerst immediately at (919) 781-1107 or complete a free initial consultation form. Time may be limited to file your claim, so call right away.
At Henson Fuerst, we have extensive experience helping patients that were injured by a defective medical device through no fault of their own. Medical device manufacturers must be held accountable for the damage a defective product can cause to you, a family member or loved one. At Henson Fuerst we will diligently advocate for your rights and do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.