Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Depuy Recalls Total Hip System

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., announced it is voluntarily recalling the ASR™ XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System used in hip replacement surgery.  According to some reports, 1 in 8 patients with these hips required a replacement surgery, also known as revision surgery, to replace the implants. The risk for revision was higher with ASR head sizes below 50 mm in diameter and among female patients.  Many observers expect this already high failure rate to increase dramatically as problems with the DePuy ASR hip systems become more widely publicized.

Depuy issued the following statement:   "We regret that this recall will be concerning for patients, their family members and surgeons," said David Floyd, president, DePuy Orthopaedics. "We are committed to assisting patients and health care providers by providing information through multiple channels and paying for the cost of doctor visits, tests and procedures associated with the recall."

Denying that its decision to do so was related to reports of failures of the ASR systems, late last year DePuy ceased sales of the products. By that time, almost 100,000 of the systems had been implanted in patients worldwide. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. is the orthopedic subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
Unfortunately, DePuy's recall of the ASR systems comes too late for patients that were sold these devices.  Unlike most product recalls, this recall is for a product that has been implanted in a person's hip. As a result, the recalled product can only be replaced with the patient going through a painful and debilitating surgery and rehabilitation.

Attorney Chris Hellums and the firm of Pittman Dutton & Hellums has previously represented individuals numerous medical product failure claims.  For a free case evaluation, contact Chris Hellums at Chrish@PittmanDutton.com or toll free at 866-515-8880.
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