Plaintiff Heidi H. is the latest patient to allege that she had to go through DePuy ASR hip revision surgery as a result of defects with the original implant. The DePuy ASR hip revision lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers knew about or should have known of the dangers of hip device failure which was likely to prompt revision surgery.

Heidi says she received a DePuy hip implant in July 2007 in Colorado. However, she says that in May 2018, she had to go through DePuy ASR hip revision surgery to have the hip implant on her right side explanted. The lawsuit alleges that Heidi suffered significant injuries due to the implantation and explantation of the DePuy ASR hip implant.

She argues in her lawsuit that DePuy, through their inactions and actions, proximately caused her injuries. The plaintiff argues that there was no way for her to know that she had excessive levels of cobalt and chromium in her blood stream until she had her blood drawn and was advised of the lab results.

Physicians across the United States have reportedly seen a number of patients who have had to cope with complications as a result of their DePuy ASR hip replacement. Some of these patients had to undergo DePuy ASR hip revision surgery due to the complexities of the complications reported. Metal debris that loosens from the device and gets absorbed by the patient’s body can lead to elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in a patient’s blood.

Over time this cobalt and chromium release can lead to metallosis. Metallosis is a potentially dangerous issue that can lead to organ problems.

Patients who receive the DePuy ASR hip implant may face a higher risk of metallosis or device failure. One investigation reportedly identified that the current design of the DePuy ASR hip device results in a higher chance of metal debris problems.

When metal breaks down and travels throughout the body, it can damage nearby tissue and bones. Metal debris that travels in the bloodstream could cause related health problems in the nerves, heart, or thyroid glands.

DePuy issued their first warning about the ASR device in 2010. The company had previously announced that they were discontinuing the sale of this device because of decreasing sales.

Some patients have reportedly experienced problems such as solid masses, fluid collections, elevated chromium and cobalt levels, and significant pain and had to deal with the possibility of potential complications due to required DePuy ASR hip revision surgery.

Patients who had to go through revision procedures say that the manufacturer knew about the failure risk but failed to inform the medical community about this high possibility.

The failure of the device could lead to a variety and range of pain. Certain side effects are unique to hip implants, according to the FDA. These could be early signs of metallosis or other issues and include chest pain, shortness of breath, weight gain, numbness, weakness, or feeling cold.

This DePuy Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-DP-20098-JJH in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.