The DePuy ASR hip system has been the subject of numerous metal hip implant lawsuits, with patients alleging they had to undergo revision surgery due to the defective nature of the devices.

Patients who had to undergo revision surgery since March 2015 due to DePuy ASR hip system problems may be covered by a mass settlement with Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics over allegations they failed to warn patients about potential metal hip implant problems.

The DePuy ASR hip system was recalled in August 2010, after numerous patients reported having to undergo revision surgery. During this time, the FDA announced a voluntary recall of the DePuy ASR hip system that affected 93,000 ASR hip implants worldwide with 37,000 models recalled in the United States.

The DePuy ASR hip system recall was conducted by the manufacturing company after reviewing data released from the United Kingdom joint registry. The data showed that 13% of patients who had DePuy ASR hip systems implanted had to undergo revision surgery soon after.

Patients reported suffering painful and debilitating complications, which were similar to previous injury reports indicating problems with metal on metal hip implants.

These problems included increased risk of cancer development due to toxic elements being shed into the bloodstream from the metal on metal hip implants. In addition, patients reportedly developed heart disease and suffered from premature device failure.

Other problems associated with the DePuy ASR hip system includes, but not limited to, are:

• Premature Device Failure
• Formation of Pseudotumors around the Implant Site
• Dislocated Hip Implant System
• Metallosis (Blood Metal Poisoning)
• Loss of Bone Strength or Structure
• Tissue Death surrounding the Implant Site
• Inflammation
• Infection

Patients who developed these metal hip implant complications often had to undergo revision surgery to remove and replace the device. However, patients still had to remain vigilant against potential hip implant problems and were at risk for higher chances of infection.

Overview of DePuy ASR Metal Hip Implant Complications

The DePuy ASR hip system is made of all metal components and is designed to be a durable and long-lasting option for patients with deteriorating hip joints.

The DePuy ASR hip system was marketed as more durable and longer lasting than other hip implants and is often prescribed to younger patients with more active lifestyles. Metal on metal hip implants were thought to be overtly superior to their plastic or ceramic counterparts, with manufacturing companies marketing them as such.

However, injury reports have suggested otherwise, with many alleging the problems stem from the all-metal hip components interacting. More specifically when the ball and socket joint of the device interacts, metal ions are shed into the bloodstream.

This leads to fretting and corrosion, as well as blood metal poisoning that ultimately endangers the patient’s health. Many of these patients opted to file legal action against DePuy Orthopaedics, for allegedly failing to warn them against potential metal hip implant complications.

Johnson & Johnson is currently facing thousands of DePuy ASR hip system lawsuits, from patients alleging negligence and failure to warn. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility for a DePuy ASR hip system lawsuit.