DePuy Hip Replacement Failures:
DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, is responsible for making two hip replacement devices that have been reported to have a high failure rate necessitating a second hip replacement surgery. DePuy has issued a Hip Replacement Recall for these devices, the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular Cup System. Reports indicate that one in eight patients will be forced to undergo a second hip surgery (revision surgery) due to the ASR system defects within five years of their first implant surgery. This Hip Replacement Recall requires that healthcare providers monitor their patients more closely. In general hip implants last from 12 to 15 years and in some cases thirty years with good quality materials.
For some time, DePuy has attributed hip implant failures to surgeons not following instructions on proper implantation. Not only has DePuy blamed surgeons for their ASR device failure but they have also blamed patients. This manufacturer claimed that patients were careless with their new implants contributing to a further increase in failure rates.
To date, there are thousands of DePuy ASR individuals that may have to have a second surgery due to this Hip Replacement Recall. The first surgery is bad enough in terms of being painful, possible infection and rehabilitation. A second surgery increases the potential for these side effects particularly where infection is concerned.
Some orthopedic surgeons believe that the DePuy ASR cup design is the reason for a high failure rate. It turns out that the ASR cup has a shallower design than other hip replacement systems that may be contributing to a higher failure rate.
Recent data indicates that the 5 year revision rate for the ASR Hip Resurfacing System runs at 12% and the ASR XL Acetabular System is around 13%. Other data demonstrates that revision surgery was highest with ASR head sizes below 50mm in diameter and among female patients. The major problem appears to be mechanical loosening of the implant.
Acute Hip Replacement Complications for Revision Surgery:
A second hip replacement surgery increases the chance for dislocation of the subsequent implant along with infection, fracture and cement extrusion. This can continue for many years and may include abnormal bone growth and bone death (bone necrosis), severe inflammation due to an immune response as well as implant fracture.
If you have experienced long term pain, hip inflammation, prosthetic fracture, bone necrosis, or any other hip replacement related illness with a DePuy ASR System you may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Hip replacement lawsuits are currently being filed across the country.