World Recall of Depuy™ Hip Replacement

Depuy™ Orthopedics, manufacturers of the Depuy™ ASR XL Acetabular System for Total Hip Replacement™ (ASR Hip System), and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System™ has issued a recall worldwide.

The Johnson & Johnson orthopedics unit received negative data from a report issued by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales, which stated that 12-13%, or 1 out of every 8, patients who had received one of the devices underwent revision surgery within five years.

The ASR XL Acetabular System is a hip socket used in traditional hip replacement. The ASR Hip Resurfacing System is a partial hip replacement which involves placing a metal cap on the ball of the femur. Only the ASR XL Acetabular System is approved for use in the U.S. However, globally, 93,000 patients have received one of the Johnson & Johnson implant devices.

Lawsuits filed in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Newark, New Jersey – certainly only the first few in what is destined to become an onslaught – allege DePuy was aware that the devices were defective but took no action.

The defect allows particles from the device to shed into the patient, damaging soft tissue, causing inflammatory reactions and lead to potential bone loss.Individuals who have undergone hip replacement with the ASR Hip system experience pain, serious reactions, and may face additional surgeries.

Depuy Orthopedics released this public statement:

"Data recently received by the company shows that more people than expected who received the ASR Hip System experienced pain and other symptoms that led to a second hip replacement surgery, called a revision surgery. For this reason, DePuy Orthopaedics is voluntarily recalling its ASR™ XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System. This recall means additional testing and treatment may be necessary to ensure the hip is functioning well. In some cases, patients may need additional surgery."

The DePuy ASR device is a metal-on-metal hip replacement system developed in the early 2000s. DePuy officials have stated they intend to provide settlements to cover the cost of monitoring, treatment and revision surgeries for patients who received one of the defective devices.

Product liability lawyers are encouraging individuals affected to contact their attorneys prior to agreeing to any form of compensation. It is important to ensure rights are protected and the patient receives all benefits to which he or she is entitled.

It is fully expected that the number of lawsuits will grow as this matter continues to be investigated and potential cases are reviewed.