Hip Implant Recall -Metal on Metal

According to a New York Times article, the volume of complaints regarding failed hip replacements may prove the metal on metal hips to be the largest and most costly medical device implant recall since Medtronic's recall in 2007.  Many surgeons have stopped using metal on metal implants.  But for many this comes too little too late.  One metal on metal hip replacement recipient who was experiencing inflammation and pain, had her hip implant devices removed but it was too late.  The metal debris had already caused such extensive tissue damage that she now ambulates with the assistance of a brace. 

hip replacement recall

DePuy Hip Implant Recall

In a medical product liability lawsuit, multiple parties may be found liable: inventors, manufacturers, vendors, and surgeons.


A California-based orthopaedist, who co-developed the ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System is being sued by one of his hip implant patients. Both the ASR XL Acetabular Hip implant system and the ASR Hip Resurfacing system  have been found to fail in approximately 1 in 8 patients after about 5 years. Signs and Symptoms of a hip implant failure include pain, weakness in the load bearing joint, edema, blood toxicity, metallosis, and chromium poisoning.

In 2006  the patient received an ASR DePuy hip replacement system from his California based orthopaedist. When his hip replacement  later failed, he sued his orthopedist for breach of fiduciary duty. The orthopaedist should have disclosed to the patient that he was receiving money from DePuy in the form of royalty payments.  These royalty payments are estimated to be in the neighborhood of $10 million. 

 Design problems with the recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement system cause the metal components such as chromium and cobalt to rub against each other causing microscopic metal particles to enter the body.  This metal debris can result in soft tissue damage, inflammatory reactions and bone loss.  Design problems with the recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement system cause the metal components such as chromium and cobalt to rub against each other and result in  metal debris being released into the body.  This metal debris can be deposited in the soft tissue or bones, resulting in soft tissue damage or bone loss.

Recall DePuy Hip Replacement

Hip Replacements Recall

DePuy Hip Implant Recall

The DePuy ASR device is a metal on metal hip implant.  As metal on metal  implants wear, they can cause large amounts of microscopic metallic debris. These metal particles can irritate the tissue and bone causing a severe inflammatory response, causing muscles and other soft tissues to be damaged.  A large number of these devices, require replacement of the device soon after implant.  Whereas, the normal life expectancy of most artificial hips is 15 years or more.

DePuy Hip Replacement Recall

DePuy ASR Hip replacement