A settlement is now available to compensate the large number of patients who underwent revision surgery after receiving a DePuy ASR hip replacement.

Certain DePuy ASR hip replacement models have been linked to serious metal hip implant complications, which ultimately forced numerous patients to undergo revision surgery to resolve these problems. The DePuy ASR hip replacement system is a metal-on-metal hip implant, which is commonly offered to patients needing to undergo hip replacement surgery.

Metal-on-metal hip implants are very popular among more active patients, with companies marketing them as more durable and longer lasting than ceramic or plastic models. For years Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers had advertised metal on metal hip implants as overtly superior compared to other choices, while allegedly failing to properly discuss potential complications.

The DePuy ASR hip replacement models subject to concern are the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Systems, with patients reporting problems since it first started being used for prosthetic surgery in 2006.

A recent study found that the DePuy ASR hip replacement had a significantly higher failure rate compared to other hip implants, with scientists finding one out of eight of these DePuy ASR hip replacement implants failed within just five years of implantation.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Device failure and hip implant complications stem from the all-metal components of the device, with the interactions between the ball and socket joints being the most concerning.

When these components interact, metal ions may be shed into the bloodstream and can cause a multitude of problems including:

• Metallosis (Blood Metal Poisoning)
• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Tissue Death
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Debilitating Pain
• Kidney Problems
• Cardiac Problems

Most of these problems are caused by the elevated blood metal ion levels having negative effects on the body, which can compromise the patient’s overall health. Revision surgery is the primary solution physicians prescribe to resolve these complications, which can further compromise the patient’s health due to a higher risk of infection.

Due to the high failure rates, Johnson & Johnson eventually recalled the DePuy ASR hip replacement system on Aug. 26, 2010. At this time, the hip replacement had been implanted in over 90,000 patients.

The DePuy ASR hip replacement system was reviewed through the FDA’s 510(k) process, which means the product entered the market without rigorous pre market testing. As long as the medical device proves to work at an equivalent level with a similar product already on the market, then it may qualify for 510(k) review.

However, many allege that this process allows a potentially dangerous product to enter the market without a complete safety profile. Device failure and implant complications have been prevalent concerns surrounding metal-on-metal hip implants for years.

Patients who received the DePuy ASR hip replacement system and underwent revision surgery after March 2015 may be able to seek compensation from the DePuy ASR settlement.