DePuy Orthopaedics recalled two types of hip implants Aug. 26, 2010. The company said it was recalling the defective devices because many patients needed further surgery to replace the implants after they failed.
The two devices being recalled are the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System. Both are known as metal-on-metal implants.
The ASR XL Acetabular System is a traditional type of hip implant in which a metal ball on a stem is inserted into the thighbone and a metal cup in which the ball rotates is inserted into the pelvis. The ASR Hip Resurfacing System is a partial hip replacement that is a substitute for the arthritic surfaces of the bone or bones in the hip.
The more traditional Acetabular System is approved for sale worldwide. The Hip Resurfacing System is not approved in the United States, but has been sold in other parts of the world.
DePuy received FDA approval for the metal-on-metal joint replacements in 2005. Not long after that, however, problems with the new implant materials began to surface. The friction of the metal-on-metal implants was causing debris to shed from the devices, inflaming surrounding tissues.
Other problems arose regarding the artificial socket or cup portion of the joint. The socket was too shallow to articulate properly with the artificial ball or head atop the femur and unusually difficult for a surgeon to position correctly.
A DePuy spokeswoman said that approximately 93,000 of these artificial hip systems have been surgically implanted around the world.
The FDA, reportedly, has received roughly 400 complaints from patients implanted with the devices since early 2008. Many of the joints need replacement in three years or less. The normal life of hip transplants is 15 years.
DePuy is a division of Johnson & Johnson. It said the company would pay reasonable and customary expenses associated with the recalled products, including surgery for new hip implants.
If you believe that you have been harmed by one of the recalled metal-on-metal implants, you may qualify to recover compensation for your losses, pain and suffering. To find out if you are eligible, please contact a defective device lawyer at the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz. We can be reached toll free at (888) 255-2956.