subject: Hip Replacement Recall a "Medical Disaster," Expert Says [print this page] Hip Replacement Recall a "Medical Disaster," Expert Says
It's difficult to compare DePuy's hip replacement recall to other artificial joint recalls or medical calamities. We can discuss the Zimmer Durom Cup recall and others, but sometimes medical experts can give us the context we need. In March, one did.
Dr. Thomas Joyce, a medical expert at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, characterized the DePuy recall as a "medical disaster." That's a strong statement, but Dr. Joyce continues: "It is the biggest disaster in the history of orthopedics. To think here we are in the 21st century, in 2011, that we have such major failures. This has major implications around the world." He made these comments before speaking in front of a special conference for victims of the DePuy recall.
Here are some facts on this "medical disaster": A recipient of a DePuy hip replacement has a 49 percent chance of suffering a hip replacement failure after only six years, even though the devices are designed to last 15 years. Such a high failure rate means thousands of people will have to undergo difficult revision procedures. DePuy sold 93,000 units of the ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System. DePuy was able to sell so many units because wherever orthopedists or national artificial joint registries warned the public that DePuy's hip replacements were faulty, DePuy merely pulled them from the market rather than recall them. Only after media outlets reported on the defectiveness of metal-on-metal hip replacements did DePuy finally issue the recall.
This has major implications around the world." He made these comments before speaking in front of a special conference for victims of the DePuy recall.
A recipient of a DePuy hip replacement has a 49 percent chance of suffering a hip replacement failure after only six years, even though the devices are designed to last 15 years.Instead, consider filing a hip replacement lawsuit or settling your claim against DePuy for compensation.
If you received a recalled DePuy hip replacement, do not accept the manufacturer's offer to pay your "reasonable and customary costs" associated with the recall. Instead, consider filing a hip replacement lawsuit or settling your claim against DePuy for compensation.
