DePuy Hip Implant Recall

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

DePuy Orthopaedics, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, announced in August 2010 that they were recalling two kinds of hip implantation devices. Since 2008, the Food and Drug Administration has received over 400 consumer complaints of device failure.

According to reports, the failure of the hip implant has resulted in patients needing second surgeries to replace the defective medical device. It is believed that around 93,000 people have received the device worldwide.

Defective DePuy Hip Implant Information

DePuy recalled two hip implant devices:

• ASR XL Acetabular System – a hip socket replacement sold worldwide
• ASP Hip Resurfacing System – a partial hip replacement that puts a metal cap on the ball of the femur and sold in countries outside the US

Both hip implant products are part of a bigger group of medical devices known as metal-on-metal bearings. It has been known that these devices have problems generating debris from wear. Some affected patients also develop inflammation and tissue damage as a result.

In March 2010, the British agency that regulates medical devices issued an advisory about ASR problems. The same month that the British issued their advisory, DePuy began warning doctors about high failure rates. It was found that 12 to 13 percent of hip implants would fail within five years of the patient receiving the defective medical device.

Many orthopedic experts and doctors have expressed alarm that the hip implant was not recalled sooner because of these high failure rates. One doctor has gone on record stating that almost every major medical center, including those in the Milwaukee area, has seen problems with ASR hip implants.

Prior to warning doctors about the recall, DePuy alleges they were pulling the defective hip implant device because of slow sales.

Defective Product Attorneys

Companies like DePuy that provide medical devices to doctors and patients in need have a clear obligation to make sure they remain safe. DePuy’s voluntary hip implant recall comes too late to help those patients who had to undergo a second surgery because of pain and suffering. This, as well as the cost, could have been avoided.

While DePuy has offered to pay for reasonable and customary costs associated with the ASR recall, and new hip implant operations, many patients and their families are choosing litigation. Several class action and individual law suits have already been filed so that compensation can be sought.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective DePuy hip implant in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Cochran Firm Wisconsin for an initial consultation.