Johnson & Johnson has just announced a recall of several of their hip implants. The defective medical devices were manufactured by one of the company’s subsidiaries, DePuy Orthopaedics. The recall was initiated due to complaints that the hip implants were prone to failure.
Two types of hip implants were included in the recall:
- The ASR XL Acetabular System – a hip socket used in performing traditional hip replacement surgeries
- The ASR Hip Resurfacing System – a partial hip replacement which positions a metal cap on the ball of the femur to preserve more of the bone
It is estimated that roughly 93,000 of these implants have been used in hip replacement surgeries across the globe. In the past few years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 400 complaints about these defective medical devices which claim that they failed early, resulting in expensive and painful hip replacement operations to correct the problem.
A spokesperson from DePuy has stated that the majority of hip replacements involving the recalled devices have not resulted in any problems; however, patients using these implants should consult their surgeon for an evaluation. DePuy has agreed to cover medical costs incurred as a result of damage caused by the defective implants, including new hip replacement surgery.
The recalled implants are part of a category of implants called metal-on-metal bearings. Many of the metal-on-metal bearings devices have been criticized for their ability to produce debris as a result of wear. This debris has led to inflammation and tissue damage in many patients.
It is important to consult with an experienced defective product lawyer at once if you have suffered an injury from one of the recalled Johnson & Johnson hip implants. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages.
If you have a defective product claim in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact the attorneys at Robbins & Associates today to schedule your free initial consultation.
