After a botched hip replacement surgery, a North Carolina man has filed a lawsuit against DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, makers of the ASR hip implant products.

The ASR hip implant is a metal on metal hip, which means that metal rubs against metal when the person moves. Originally designed to make the implant stronger, the metal on metal hip replacement device allegedly causes more problems than it solves in many cases.

Hip Replacement Surgery Failure

Plaintiff Mike G. received a DePuy ASR hip implant in his right hip in January 2009. He claims after his hip replacement surgery that he has suffered from cobalt and/or chromium poisoning, constant pain, lost wages, revision surgery, fear and other economic and emotional damages.

Mike claims he was not even aware that he had excessive levels of chromium and cobalt from the metal components until he received blood test results.

When the hip implant metal ball and socket components rub against each other over time, they erode. As a result, tiny metal particles shave off and irritate the joint and the muscles around the joint, causing fluid to collect. The fluid retention creates swelling, which results in painful, difficult walking.

Mike had the metal on metal hip removed in January 2016, but continues to suffer the consequences of both the original surgery and the explantation. His experience with hip replacement surgery has forced him to file a hip replacement lawsuit.

How the Hip Works

In the human body, the femur connects to the pelvis via the hip joint, which consists of the femoral head (a ball-like mechanism at the top of the femur) that rotates around the acetabulum (the cup-like part at the bottom of the pelvis.) A healthy hip consists of a strong femur and a strong acetabulum that are cushioned and lubricated by cartilage and fluids, which allow ease of movement.

DePuy marketed the ASR metal on metal hip as being a stronger alternative to traditional hip replacements that include both plastic and metal parts. The ASR was supposed to be less prone to dislocation than parts used in other hip replacement surgeries.

Company Knew of High Failure Rate

In August 2010, DePuy recalled its ASR hip systems, citing a higher-than-normal failure rate of the devices. The British Orthopaedic Association and the British Hip Society cited the failure rate of the ASR metal on metal hips at 21 to 49 percent after six years.

The New York Times uncovered an internal DePuy document that estimated the failure rate of the ASR hip replacement surgeries would be 40 percent within five years. That is eight times higher than the failure rate of other hip replacement devices that don’t depend upon metal on metal components.

By hiding the anticipated failure rate, DePuy adds fuel to the fire for hip replacement lawsuits.

Serious Complications from Metal on Metal Hips

Among the more serious complications that can develop after a metal on metal hip replacement surgery are:

• Loosening of the implant inside the body
• Fractured bone near the implant site
• Implant dislocation, misalignment of components
• Metal poisoning
• Pain in the thigh, hip or groin area
• Difficulty walking
• Pain when standing up from a seated position

If you or someone you know has had a metal on metal hip replacement and suffered any harmful consequences, you could benefit from a hip replacement lawsuit against the implant’s manufacturer.

The DePuy Hip Replacement Lawsuit is filed in the larger multidistrict litigation known as MDL No. 1:10 md 2197 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.