Recall Alert: DePuy Hip Implant | Toledo, Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers

Johnson & Johnson, and its DePuy Orthopaedics subsidiary, recently announced it is recalling parts used for hip replacements. At issue is the high rate of repeat surgeries needed by people who have received the parts. An estimated 93,000 people will be affected by this product recall. Affected hip replacement parts involved in the recall include the following:

• The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System
• The DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System

 Patients who reported problems in the first five years of the original hip implant and had revision surgery reported a variety of symptoms, including:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Problems walking

Other symptoms that may indicate a serious problem with the hip replacement parts include:

• Loosening - when the implant does not stay attached to the bone in the correct position;

• Fracture - where the bone around the implant may have broken;

• Dislocation - where the two parts of the implant that move against each other are no longer aligned: and

• Metal debris - where metal particles from the component parts moving together spread around the hip area.

In an effort to limit its liability, DePuy has offered to reimburse patients with the DePuy implants for potential future surgical revisions in exchange for patients signing a consent form. However, consent forms signed by patients would allow DePuy to have access to the patients' doctors and protected medical information, which DePuy would not otherwise have.

It would also require that the implanted hip device be returned to DePuy in the event that a revision is necessary. Patients should be very cautious about such consent forms. It would be wise to seek a lawyer's advice to fully understand what is at stake before signing.

If you or someone you know has been injured or has had problems with the DePuy Hip Implant, call our Toledo, Ohio Personal Injury lawyers at 800.637.8170 for a free case evaluation or to request your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book