DEPUY HIP REPLACEMENT

DePuy is a well-respected name in the world of hip replacement prosthetics, but the company is facing some bad press related to some of its products.

One product which is threatening the company’s bottom line with the risk of litigation is the Pinnacle Hip Replacement System, a system which was the predecessor to the ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems, both of which have been discontinued and recalled since they were introduced. The system was approved for use in patients in the year 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration and, although the Pinnacle system was not subject to the same recall as the ASR XL Acetabular or the ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems, it contains similar design flaws which studies show increase the risk of injury to patients.

Complications Reported with The Pinnacle System

The Pinnacle system was designed by DePuy to be used in younger, more active candidates for hip replacement surgery. The metal-on-metal design of the system was intended to give hip replacement patients living “active lifestyles” a greater range of motion and increased flexibility than hip replacement options previously available. The idea seemed great, until the complications were reported.

Metallosis

As it turns out, the rubbing together of metal-on-metal parts within the body erodes the system over time, causing metal particles to be released into the body and allows fluid to collect at the site of the implant.

The collection of fluid at the implant site has been blamed for chronic swelling, inflammation, and pain by patients who experience complications related to the device. Release of metal into the body is responsible for metal poisoning, or metallosis, as reported in some patients.

Risks and Side Effects Associated with DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement

Anyone experiencing these symptoms who have received the Pinnacle Hip Replacement System shouldcontact a healthcare provider immediately, as the symptoms may be directly related to the DePuy product.

DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System Recall of 2010

In August of 2010 DePuy Orthopedics voluntarily recalled it’s ASR Hip Resurfacing System and ASR XL Acetabular System products after reports surfaced citing early device failure in patients. In the statement, DePuy asked everyone who uses this product to be evaluated by their doctors.

Thousands of lawsuits were filed following the recall. Since only a few of the lawsuits were settled, the rest are awaiting their trial dates in 2013. As many as 93,000 people received the implant prior to the recall. Due to the frequency of failure occurrences, the FDA established a guide for patients who have metal on metal hip implants.

Depuy Lawsuits

The parent company Johnson & and Johnson has reportedly set aside $1 billion for recall costs and lawsuit settlements. Although the Pinnacle system has not been recalled yet, as many as 3,000 lawsuits have already been filed.

People who have received DePuy hip implants or any other brand implant that has resulted in complications should contact an experienced attorney to discuss their compensation options.