Hip replacement surgeries are extremely commonplace nowadays, especially among the elderly. With aging, the bones of the body become weaker and brittle, and the pelvis faces the greatest stress as a result. Based on the extent of the damage, doctors recommend replacing part of, or the entire pelvis and the thighbone. Commonly, the thigh bone is capped with a metal head and the socket of the pelvis is replaced with a metallic one as well; the components last longer than bone and tend to restore movement.
However problems have been reported with replacement products. Friction between the metal components can cause the individual to experience metallosis - a form of metal poisoning – and cause severe pain and discomfort. The individual can also end up experiencing tissue damage in the pelvic region and face the need for corrective or ‘revision’ surgery, an expensive procedure. The Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor the technology available to the market for compliance with safety regulations. From time to time, they may issue hip replacement recall notices to manufacturers if they receive a significant number of complaints or uncover research pointing out the hazards of the technology. In such a scenario, the manufacturer must pull the product off the shelves and bear responsibility for all damages caused to its users. In some cases, the manufacturer may issue a hip replacement recall notice voluntarily because they have identified a critical flaw in their product and wish to correct it.
In recent times, several companies have become the target of hip replacement recall lawsuits, because evidence suggests the flaws in the products could have been avoided with adequate pre-launch testing.
DePuy is a company which was acquired by multinational Johnson and Johnson in the 1990s. The company is responsible for producing orthopedic products to treat diseased or faulty joints. Two of its products, the ASR (Articular Surface Replacement) Acetabular Hip System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System came under scrutiny when the National Joint Registry of England and Wales issued a report stating that the implants were not as effective as DePuy claimed. The study showed that 1 in 8 people would have to undergo a revision surgery if they received a DePuy implant. This forced the company to issue a voluntary hip replacement recall.
Stryker Corporation, a Michigan-based company, also had to issue a hip replacement recall on two products, namely the ABG II Modular and Rejuvenate. The recall was issued in 2012 because the company discovered the product was prone to corrosion, which affected durability significantly.
Smith & Nephew is a company which launched its R3 Acetabular System in Europe and Australia in 2007, and in the United States in 2009. The company issued an international recall of the metal liner that was part of its R3 system in June 2012. The metal liner created a metal-on-metal junction when it was used. The company justified the recall by saying the product had underperformed and was causing severe health complications.
If you have suffered on account of a hip replacement product that was recalled, contact a lawyer specializing in product recall related personal injury cases.
However problems have been reported with replacement products. Friction between the metal components can cause the individual to experience metallosis - a form of metal poisoning – and cause severe pain and discomfort. The individual can also end up experiencing tissue damage in the pelvic region and face the need for corrective or ‘revision’ surgery, an expensive procedure. The Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor the technology available to the market for compliance with safety regulations. From time to time, they may issue hip replacement recall notices to manufacturers if they receive a significant number of complaints or uncover research pointing out the hazards of the technology. In such a scenario, the manufacturer must pull the product off the shelves and bear responsibility for all damages caused to its users. In some cases, the manufacturer may issue a hip replacement recall notice voluntarily because they have identified a critical flaw in their product and wish to correct it.
In recent times, several companies have become the target of hip replacement recall lawsuits, because evidence suggests the flaws in the products could have been avoided with adequate pre-launch testing.
DePuy is a company which was acquired by multinational Johnson and Johnson in the 1990s. The company is responsible for producing orthopedic products to treat diseased or faulty joints. Two of its products, the ASR (Articular Surface Replacement) Acetabular Hip System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System came under scrutiny when the National Joint Registry of England and Wales issued a report stating that the implants were not as effective as DePuy claimed. The study showed that 1 in 8 people would have to undergo a revision surgery if they received a DePuy implant. This forced the company to issue a voluntary hip replacement recall.
Stryker Corporation, a Michigan-based company, also had to issue a hip replacement recall on two products, namely the ABG II Modular and Rejuvenate. The recall was issued in 2012 because the company discovered the product was prone to corrosion, which affected durability significantly.
Smith & Nephew is a company which launched its R3 Acetabular System in Europe and Australia in 2007, and in the United States in 2009. The company issued an international recall of the metal liner that was part of its R3 system in June 2012. The metal liner created a metal-on-metal junction when it was used. The company justified the recall by saying the product had underperformed and was causing severe health complications.
If you have suffered on account of a hip replacement product that was recalled, contact a lawyer specializing in product recall related personal injury cases.