ASR Hip Replacement

History and Use of the ASR Hip Replacement System

DePuy is a manufacturer of medical implant devices. The Depuy ASR hip system is a prosthetic orthopedic device used in patients in need of a hip replacement. The hip joint is where the femur or the thigh bone connects with the pelvis. This joint is made up of the femoral head, a ball-like structure at the top of the femur, which rotates within a cup-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis known as the acetabulum. The ASR Hip has a different design than the standard hip replacement. A hip replacement implant typically consists of four separate components: (1) a femoral stem, (2) a femoral head, (3) a liner and (4) an acetabular shell. The surgeon will remove the top of the femur, hollow out the upper shaft and then place the femoral stem in the shaft. The femoral head is a metal ball that is fixed to the top of the femoral stem. The femoral stem and ball articulates or moves inside a polyethane liner and acetabular shell, the cup of the implant, which are placed in the pelvis. Unlike the standard hip replacement, the ASR hip has a different design, one that puts a metal femoral ball directly in contact with a metal acetabular cup with no polyethane liner. Thus, there is metal on metal contact and wearing.

Problems with the ASR Hip Replacement System

Indications are the metal on metal contact and wearing causes the dispersal of metal particles from the device throughout the body and blood system and causes the hip replacement itself to fail. The failed implant can cause pain and impairment, if not lost ability to walk. It has been asserted that the ASR hip was not sufficiently tested by Depuy and did not proceed through the normal FDA approval process to determine whether the implant had a sufficient showing of safety or effectiveness as a hip replacement device.

Worldwide Recall of its ASR Hip Replacement System

More than 90,000 people have received ASR hip replacements. Many recipients have experienced failures of the ASR hip. Unacceptably high levels of hip failures have been recorded. As a result, on August 26, 2010, Depuy issued a worldwide recall of its ASR EXCEL Acetabular Hip Replacement System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System and all components for these devices due to the high percentage of patients who experienced a device failure. Such patients typically have to undergo complex and painful surgery to remove and replace the prosthetic hip. Such multiple hip replacements result in a variety of potential risks and complications.

ASR Hip Replacement Complications – Contact Foley & Small

We’ve handled various cases involving defective medical implants. We are experienced in handling such defective medical product claims both in federal and in state courts. We are dedicated to helping women and men who are dealing with symptoms and loses and heart ache that comes from dealing with defective ASR hip replacement systems. If you or a family member or friend is suffering from complications from a ASR hip replacement, contact Foley & Small.

You can call Foley & Small on our toll free number 800-276-2525, you can email us or you can complete new client contact form located to the upper right column of this page. A member of our office will contact you and we can begin steps to evaluate your case and provide needed help.