What's Wrong with the Depuy Hip Replacement?

Depuy Orthopedics issued a worldwide recall of its metal-on-metal SR XL Acetabular System for Total Hip Replacement as well as the ASR Hip Resurfacing. A division of Johnson & Johnson, this company issued a statement admitting that more patients than expected experienced pain and other symptoms requiring a second hip replacement surgery, and therefore the company was recalling the product until they could work out the kinks to make it safer for patients and reduce the overall failure rate.

Designed to last approximately 15 years, many of the Depuy hip implants were failing in less than 5.

While there are a myriad of concerns associated with the Depuy Hip Replacement implant, metal debris is one of the primary risks. Metal debris may occur when friction in the device begins to wear down the metal, resulting in metal particles releasing into the body and bloodstream, which can cause pain, shortness of breath, and even cognitive difficulties as the metal particles effectively poison the bloodstream. This condition is referred to as “metallosis” and can result in rashes and nerve damage as the metal-on-metal system grinds on itself, releasing debris in the form of dangerous chromium and cobalt ions into the body. When an implant fails and/or harms a patient in some way, that patient may require a second surgery to replace the implant as well as additional treatment to try to correct the new damage.

Signs that could indicate a hip replacement implant is starting to fail include:

• Pain in the hip, groin, or thigh
• Limited mobility
• Instability in the hip or leg
• Stiffness in or around the implant
• Popping or clicking sounds from the hip
• Sensation of the joint moving in and out of socket
• Swelling around the implant
• Cognitive decline
• Shortness of breath

If you or a loved one suffered from a faulty Depuy Hip Implant, it’s important to talk to an attorney.

Hip replacements aren’t cheap, nor are the revision and replacement surgeries required when the implants fail. In addition to the cost of the surgery itself, the pain and recovery process associated with a hip replacement is no small thing, and going through it twice due to the failure of a defective implant can be both physically and financially distressing. This is why it’s important to reach out to a product liability attorney if you or a loved one were injured by a Depuy or other hip replacement system. 

In these cases, the manufacturer may be considered liable for the damages resulting from their device’s failure, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The good news is that most product liability attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency; this allows families to seek help without worrying about another out-of-pocket expense to contend with. 

To learn more about the Depuy hip replacement recall or to discuss your eligibility for recovery, reach out to an experienced product liability attorney.