DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims filed by patients who allegedly suffered serious device complications from the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement.

One of the most recent additions was filed by a woman from Wisconsin, who alleges she had to undergo revision surgery due to the defective nature of the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system.

Metal on metal hips refer to the all metal ball and socket joints of the device. Plaintiff Virginia H. alleges side effects and complications with her DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system caused her health condition to compound, reportedly causing a need for hip implant revision surgery.

Overview of DePuy ASR Metal Hip Lawsuit

Like millions of other patients, Virginia had the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system implanted to restore hip function after the joints became damaged from deterioration or injury. According to the claim, Virginia had the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system implanted on her left side on Dec. 16, 2008.

At some point after the procedure, Virginia reportedly developed serious metal hip implant complications that caused her debilitating pain, and she had to undergo revision surgery. These issues eventually forced Virginia to undergo revision surgery, wherein the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement was explanted on July 18, 2017.

Virginia opted to file legal action against DePuy, after discovering the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system had been subject to a recall in 2010 and that the company had formed a settlement fund for patients who allegedly suffered complications from their metal hip implants.

The DePuy ASR hip settlement is open to patients who had to undergo revision surgery since March 2015, allegedly due to complications caused by the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system.

Metal Hip Implants

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures in the United States, with at least half a million Americans opting for metal component hip implants.

Metal on metal hip implants were thought to be overtly superior to plastic and ceramic models when they were first released onto the market, and are often recommended to younger patients wanting to live an active lifestyle.

However, not long after metal on metal hip implants were released onto the market, patients began reporting problems with these devices. When the all metal ball and socket joints interact, metal ions can shed into the bloodstream and can cause a number of serious complications including:

• Debilitating Pain
• Limited Mobility
• Tissue Death
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Metallosis (Blood Metal Poisoning)
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Degenerative Heart Disease

These issues can often only be resolved through revision surgery, which is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure.

Even though these metal hip implant complications can be devastating to patients, DePuy allegedly failed to disclose these problems to the general public. Virginia states she would not have agreed to have the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system implanted, if she had known the severity of the potential device complications.

Virginia’s DePuy ASR Metal Hip Lawsuit, Case No. 1:18-dp-20053-JJH, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio, Western Division, is joining MDL No. 2197, consisting of other claims alleging similar injuries from the DePuy ASR metal on metal hip replacement system.