A woman from Utah alleges she suffered serious DePuy hip implant injuries and is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the device manufacturer.

The DePuy ASR hip replacement system is a metal on metal hip implant, which means it does not use a plastic liner between working parts. While metal on metal hip replacements have been widely used in the patient population, according to an article published in the Journal of Functional Biomaterials, there have been complications associated with these products including permanent injuries to the patients’ bones.

Plaintiff Barbara P. alleges similar injuries occurred soon after she had the device implanted in her left hip on June 6, 2007. The DePuy hip implant injuries were allegedly so bad that it compromised her ability to move, and greatly interfered with her everyday life.

Barbara says she eventually had the DePuy ASR hip replacement system explanted on Jan. 8, 2018, after learning of the device’s defective nature. Similar to many cases of DePuy hip implant injuries, Barbara’s blood work showed increased levels of cobalt and chromium in her blood, indicating the effects of metallosis.

Overview of Metal on Metal Hip Implant Complications

Also known as blood metal poisoning, metallosis occurs when metal ions are shed into the bloodstream when the all metal ball and socket joint components interact.

According to the FDA, metallosis can cause a multitude of other health problems for the patient, including but not limited to:

• Limited Range of Movement
• Debilitating Pain
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Inflammation
• Tissue Death

These complications can require patients to undergo revision surgery, which is considered riskier than the initial procedure.

According to the lawsuit, Barbara had learned of the device’s allegedly defective nature when it was recalled on Aug. 24, 2010. Approximately 93,000 DePuy ASR hip implants were recalled worldwide, with 37,000 of those units in the United States.

These hip implants were recalled after the release of a report from the United Kingdom joint registry that found that 13 percent of DePuy ASR hip implant recipients had to undergo revision surgery.

DePuy ASR hip implants are not the only metal on metal hip implants that have had serious complications. The company is reportedly facing similar problems with their Pinnacle hip replacement system.

The DePuy hip implant lawsuit reiterates the fact that there was no way Barbara could have known about these potential device complications before it was recalled from the market. At all times relevant, Barbara had been relying on the facts and marketing materials presented by DePuy and says she had no reason to be wary of potentially serious device complications.

Barbara states she would not have agreed to have the DePuy ASR hip replacement system implanted if she had known about the device’s defective nature.

Barbara’s lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2197, where it will be streamlined through the litigation process. Barbara accuses DePuy of negligence and failure to warn.

DePuy has agreed to a mass settlement for patients who received the DePuy ASR hip implant and have had to undergo revision surgery due to serious complications. Patients who have suffered complications from the DePuy ASR hip implant may be able to file legal action to seek compensation.

This DePuy Lawsuit is Case No. 1:19-dp-20002-JJH, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio, Western Division.