DePuy Hip Recall

DePuy Orthapedics recently recalled its ASR XL Acetabular Head System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System due to a defect thats causes severe pain, grinding, popping and eventual revision surgery. DePuy recalled the product on August 24, 2010, acknowledging that its metal-on-metal artificial hip device is prone to fail within a few years after it is implanted. DePuy research indicates that approximately 12% of patients who received the defective product needed to have a second hip replacement surgery. It appears that close to 93,000 hip replacements are affected by the recall.

DePuy itself does not have a list of patients that received the defective hip which makes it difficult to reach potential users. Instead, those who received the defective hips are receiving letters from their surgeons informing them of the recall. The best available evidence suggests that the “metal-on-metal” product, which causes metal shavings to release into the body and cause significant pain and possibly blood poisoning. In addition, the metal grinding causes the socket to become dislogdged from the hip, causing significant pain alleviated only by a follow-up surgery. It doesn’t appear that DePuy will have any strong defense to the claims, but rest assured that the claims process will be difficult, lengthy and time consuming. It seems as if DePuy is suggesting to those affected that it will pay for revision surgery and associated medical bills, but that certainly does not mean DePuy is willing to compensate patients for pain and suffering, both present and future.

The Warshafsky Law Firm is currently handling several DePuy products liability claims and intends to seek maximum compensation for those affected. If you or anyone you know has received a letter from your surgeon regarding the recall, please feel free to call the Warshafsky Law Firm regarding your possible claim.