The Pinnacle and ASR hip implants were developed by DePuy Orthopaedics in order to help young patients with their active lifestyles. After research and studies were done, it has been reported that these systems are linked to serious complications like metallosis.
DePuy Orthopaedics has around 200 products on the market. A few of these products have not performed well and have cost the company billions of dollars.
The three hip recall products are:
- Pinnacle Hip Replacement System
- ASR XL Acetabular System hip replacement
- ASR Hip Resurfacing
These products were designed and developed to help younger patients with their flexibility and athleticism.
DePuy Hip Implant Risk:
The DePuy Hip Implants are made as a metal-on-metal hip. Eventually it was concluded that problems were associated specifically with the hip replacements being made of metal. These issues include:
- Prolonged Swelling
- Difficulty Walking
- Failure of the implant to remain in place
- Loosening of the implant from the bone
- Bone fracturing around site
- Dislocation of the implant, causing severe pain and inability to use
- Metallosis
Metal Poisoning Risk:
DePuy’s hip replacement devices involve metal-on-metal movements. As it wears down, your body may end up housing excessive metal shavings. Your body will become severely inflamed around the surrounding area and this can lead to significant damage to the muscle and soft tissue.
Significant damage to the surrounding area is a great concern because it has caused complications in future corrective surgeries or replacement surgeries.
Tests have discovered that those with recalled ASR devices may have a high level of Cobalt, or cobaltism, which can result in vertigo, blindness, deafness, tinnitus, nerve damage, seizures, painful migraines, and hypothyroidism. Those with impaired kidney function may be subjective to fatal side effects if they succumb to cobaltism.
Lawsuits Against DePuy:
Lawsuits numbered in the thousands have been filed against the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary company. As of November of 2013, Johnson & Johnson reported that they agreed to pay $4 billion to settle lawsuits involving the ASR.
Data was collected from patients who had received hip replacement surgeries and it was found that 12% of patients using the ASR Hip Resurfacing system and 13% of patients using the ASR Total Hip Replacement had been back under the knife for a second hip replacement. Second replacements were a result of serious problems that they were facing specifically from the DePuy hip replacement.
Evidence was provided in court that proved nearly 40% of ASR devices would fail within the first five years of use.
Those who have used DePuy’s hip replacement surgery and products may be entitled to legal compensation to cover present issues and future issues.
Are you a user of DePuy’s hip replacement products? Please get in touch with Oklahoma City medical lawyers, like Johnson and Biscone, as soon as possible. You may be entitled to a significant settlement to help you with your current complications as well as any future complications:
Call Today – 405-232-6490