For patients who have undergone a DePuy ASR hip revision surgery since March 2015, there may be an opportunity to recover legal compensation as a result of a DePuy ASR settlement.

In August 2010, the FDA made an announcement of a voluntary recall of the DePuy ASR hip implant system. This recall affected approximately 37,000 hip implants in the United States alone.

The problems stemming from the DePuy ASR hip implant are related to its metal-on-metal design. In contrast to other metal hip replacement systems that have a different material separating metal components, such as a polyethylene or ceramic liner in between metal parts that otherwise would touch, the DePuy ASR metal hip implant has metal parts that touch. This design has allegedly led to serious injury.

When the pieces of the metal from the device touch, the DePuy implant sheds off tiny metal particles into the body. These metal particles can affect the tissue surrounding the metal hip implant. They can also enter the bloodstream, where they can affect a variety of organs throughout the body.

When the metal particles enter nearby tissue, they can cause severe inflammation, pain and cell death in the tissue. When the tissue surrounding the implant dies, there is less to hold it in place, and hip dislocation and fracture can result because the hip and implant are loosened and are no longer in their proper place.

Pseudotumors can also form in the areas surrounding the hip implant. These can cause pain and inflammation, exerting pressure on nearby structures.

When metal particles slough off from the DePuy ASR hip implant, they can enter the bloodstream. This can cause cobalt and chromium to build up to high levels in the blood, causing metal poisoning. Metal in the blood can lead to organ system dysfunction and failures, such as impaired kidney function, impaired endocrine function, degenerative heart disease and more.

DePuy ASR Hip Revision Surgery

Once an individual’s body has been negatively affected by the metal particles from a DePuy hip implant entering nearby tissue or the bloodstream, the way to address these issues is for the patients to have DePuy ASR hip revision surgery.

Unfortunately, a DePuy ASR hip revision surgery is more complicated than an initial hip implant surgery. Typically, a hip replacement will be needed after approximately 15 to 20 years of normal wear. However, with patients who experience problems due to the metal-on-metal design of the DePuy ASR hip implant, revision surgery is needed much sooner, typically within a few years.

In a hip revision surgery, bone loss typically occurs due to the way the hip implant must be taken out to be changed. Additionally, musculature is also lost surrounding the hip due to the surgery, and patients usually experience that the strength of their hip is less after a revision surgery. The surgical outcome of a revision surgery is more variable than that of a primary hip replacement, and complications resulting from the hip revision surgery are more frequent.

A DePuy ASR hip revision surgery typically takes longer to perform than the initial surgery, and the recovery time is greater as well. This is because the problems that lead to the need for revision surgery are typically greater than those that led to the initial hip replacement.

Taking Part in the DePuy ASR Hip Revision Settlement

Johnson & Johnson has already agreed to a settlement for patients who have had a DePuy ASR hip revision surgery since March 2015. Under the terms of the settlement, patients may be eligible to receive up to $500,000 as part of the settlement. Qualifying for the settlement is a somewhat complicated process, and it is recommended to seek legal counsel to ensure that you are able to appropriately participate in the settlement if you are eligible.

An attorney experienced with the terms of the DePuy ASR hip revision settlement can provide you with a free case review and consultation to guide you as you consider taking part in the settlement.