Depuy hip injuries affect about 1 out of every 8 patients who have had Depuy hip replacement devices implanted between 2003, when the device was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and August 2010, when the device was officially recalled. Estimated to have been implanted in about 93,000 patients in the U.S., the Depuy ASR XL Acetabular System total hip replacement and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System have been known to cause:
- bone fractures
- hip dislocations
- incurable damage to the muscles and tissue surrounding the hip joint
- loose hip cups
- pseudotumors (dense tissue masses similar to tumors)
- severe allergic reactions
These Depuy hip injuries typically arise within the first two to three years of implantation while standard hip replacement systems are known to last up to 15 years.
Causes of Depuy Hip Injuries
A Depuy hip injury tends to arise as a result of:
- Design flaws in the device: Many medical experts contend that the device is too shallow, which increases the chances of hip dislocations and loose hip cups, as well as increasing the likelihood that the device will be implanted improperly.
- Metal ions being released from the device: The grinding of the ball-and-socket joint causes microscopic chromium and cobalt ions to be released into the body, increasing the likelihood of pseudotumors and severe allergic reaction.
Regardless of the cause of a Depuy hip injury, the results and treatments are the same. Depuy hip injuries cause intense pain and difficulty walking, and necessitate an expensive and invasive revision surgery to remove the device.
Following a Depuy Hip Injury
Those who sustain any serious injury from a Depuy hip implant should follow through with all prescribed treatments in order to prevent further, potentially life-threatening health complications from arising. However, it’s crucial that patients do NOT sign any Johnson & Johnson paperwork sent to them (or presented to them by their doctor) before consulting with one of our skilled defective device lawyers, as such paperwork can significantly affect their ability to collect the compensation they deserve.
Our Depuy hip injury lawyers encourage injured patients to contact us to receive a complimentary, no obligation initial consultation to learn more about their legal rights and entitlements. Those who have a viable legal claim will not have to pay any legal fees until or unless their case is won.
