DePuy Hip Recall
DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson, manufactured and sold its ASR™ XL Acetabular System metal-on-metal hip replacement system. The hip replacement system first became available in 2005. The FDA gave Johnson & Johnson permission to market the device without having performed clinical trials, not knowing that DePuy would recall the hip implants.
The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint. Nature’s original joint is replaced with a metal Acetabular cup and a metal femoral head (the top of the leg bone, or femur). This is what is known as a “metal-on-metal” hip replacement system. Most other artificial replacement hips, including ones manufactured by DePuy, are not the metal-on-metal design.
Defects Causing DePuy Recall on Hip Replacement
The ASR™ XL Acetabular System metal-on-metal hip replacement was implanted in thousands of patients throughout the world, including Maryland patients. The hip replacement system resulted in problems in many patients, including component loosening, component malalignment, infection, fracture of the bone, dislocation, metal sensitivity, and pain. The metal-on-metal design also resulted in loose metal fragments, leading to increased metal ion levels in the blood, necrosis, swelling, nerve damage, tissue damage, and/or muscle damage. This would lead to Maryland hip replacement recalls and Maryland hip recall lawsuits.
DePuy Recall after High Failure Rate
The ASR™ XL Acetabular hip replacement system was noted to have a high failure rate. Specifically, one study noted that the five year failure rate was approximately 13% — considerably higher than other hip replacement systems. As a result, many patients were required to undergo “revision” surgery within a short time, where the original implant was removed and replaced. This high failure rate was later followed by recalls on hip implants, including many Maryland hip replacement recalls.
DePuy Hip Recall
On August 24, 2010, DePuy issued a voluntary recall of its ASR™ XL Acetabular metal-on-metal hip replacement system. DePuy claimed the hip system was being withdrawn because of slowing sales. This DePuy recall on hip replacements would lead to Maryland recall lawsuits.
DePuy Hip Recall Lawsuits
Hip recall lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States, including Maryland, against DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, requesting compensation arising out of the defective design and failure of the ASR™ XL Acetabular metal-on-metal hip replacement system. The hip implant recall lawsuits request compensation for pain and suffering; medical expenses, including the cost of revision surgery and rehabilitation; lost income; and the impact on patient’s spouses.
So many DePuy hip recall lawsuits have been filed that the United States Judicial Panel on MultiDistrict Litigation issued an order consolidating all cases in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for pretrial proceedings.
Maryland DePuy Hip Recall Attorney
If you or a loved one has had the ASR™ XL Acetabular System implanted, and problems have occurred, you may have a right to compensation. You should not contact DePuy or Johnson & Johnson directly. How can you trust a company that initially denied that there was anything wrong with its product, in spite of numerous failed implants and complaints?
Jonathan Scott Smith is a Maryland DePuy hip implant recall lawyer who has handled this type of claim successfully. Call his office now (410) 441-5054, or contact the office online.