DePuy Hip Replacement Recall Is Global: Recipients Worldwide At Risk

It bears emphasizing that the recent recall of two defective hip replacement devices manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics has global impact. If you received a replacement hip anywhere in the world, you should immediately determine whether your device has been recalled.

DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson company, in August of 2010 recalled two devices: the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System. Each unit replaces a worn or weakened part of the hip. The defective replacement hip units have been recalled because one in eight patients requires a second procedure to correct the first one.

The recall affects those who have had hip replacement or revision surgery not only in the United States, but worldwide. The recall is the result of a higher than expected number of recipients experiencing pain with the ASR XL Acetabular System—which had been sold worldwide since 2004—and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which was not sold in the U.S.

Anyone who has had either or both of these products implanted should consult his or her physician or surgeon about testing to ensure that any ASR device is functioning properly. Some recipients will need to undergo additional surgery to remove and replace a defective device.

Promptly contacting one’s doctor is not only important for health reasons, but also for legal purposes. Delay in determining whether you have a recalled hip implant could lead to the expiration of a statute of limitations before bringing a lawsuit, possibly resulting in the loss of your claim forever.