Consumer Alert: Johnson & Johnson Recalls DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip System

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For further inquiries about the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip System, feel free to call toll free at 1.800.553.9910 or send an e-mail by clicking on this link: contact us.

On August 26, 2010, the DePuy Orthopaedics unit of Johnson & Johnson announced that it was recalling two hip replacement products: the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System.  While the Resurfacing System has been approved for use in countries outside the United States, the ASR XL Acetabular hip system has been available in the United States and worldwide.

A DePuy spokeswoman reported that approximately 93,000 of these devices have been implanted globally.  More than 400 patients have registered complaints with the FDA over the past two years due to problems they have had with Johnson & Johnson's DePuy ASR hip devices.  Many ASR hip recipients have reported that their devices failed early, leading to the additional pain, recovery time, and expense that accompanies a revision surgery.

The DePuy ASR hip systems are part of a category of hip implants that involve metal-on-metal components.  Metal-on-metal hip devices have garnered greater attention in the past few years due to their propensity to generate metal debris from wear, which have caused some patients to experience inflammation and tissue damage.  Based upon unpublished data from a national registry in Britain, DePuy has stated that about 12 to 13 percent of patients needed a second hip replacement within five years of receiving an ASR implant.  In March, the British regulatory agency on medical devices issued an advisory regarding metal debris that can be generated by hip devices.  The New York Times has reported that the FDA is planning to meet with professional medical groups soon to discuss the British advisory.

Anyone who believes they may have received one of these DePuy ASR hip systems recalled by Johnson & Johnson should contact their doctor.

Many lawsuits involving failed hip implants have already filed in both state and federal courts.  Our offices have been and continue to be involved in and committed to the prosecution of these actions on behalf of the victims of these defectively manufactured or designed products.  Please feel free to contact our offices for further information concerning the Johnson & Johnson recall of these DePuy ASR Hip Systems.