DePuy Hip Implants Cause Osteolysis

depuy hip implant recall new jersey philadelphia attorneys osteolysis In the United States, hip replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic surgeries that occurs each year. In fact, since 1997, there have been approximately 300,000 hip replacement surgeries performed in the United States. Without question, the development of prosthetic hip joint replacements, and the development of cement or “glue” to securely place these implant parts into the human skeleton, has been one of the most major advancements in orthopaedic surgery during the last several decades.

Notwithstanding the numbers, as was detailed on our articles about hip implants, hip replacement surgery is not a cure for hip pain and should only be considered after all other medical treatments have failed. The failure of any manufacturer’s hip implant is something that is inevitable and something all potential hip implant patients should consider.

Why are Hip Implant Failures Almost Always Inevitable?

One of the major reasons for hip implant failure is because of the loosening of the bond (i.e., the cement or glue) which holds hip implant prosthetics to the bone. The loosening of this bond between the hip implant parts and the bone causes an increase in pain and reduces the range of motion for the patient.
In addition, because of the “imperfect fit,” natural friction is increased, as is the wearing down of areas in and around the hip implant. While this wear occurs in all hip implants, DePuy ASR hip implants have been recalled because medical research has shown that the recalled DePuy hip implant has an increased wear rate caused by the friction between the chromium and cobalt metals used in the ASR implant system. The combination of the loosening of the bond between the implant parts and the increased friction wear in the DePuy hip implant patient has been theorized to be the main cause of it’s premature wear and tear.

Finally, the byproduct of the chromium and cobalt friction in the replacment has been shown to result in a greater immune response to the release of these metal particles in the blood system. The immune system response not only attacks the foreign metallic matter in the blood stream, but also attacks the surrounding hip and femur bone, as well as other connective structures. This attack further damages the bond between the DePuy hip implants and the bone. This process, called osteolysis, is one of the most common causes of the accelerated failure of any DePuy hip implant.

NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

A DePuy hip implant recall lawyer in NJ o PA can answer your questions regarding a DePuy hip implant. If you think you may be the recipent of a recalled product, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Let the team at the Mininno Law Office earn you the compensation you deserve.

After DePuy Recall, Patients Ask: “Did I really need that implant?”

Now that some 96,000 patients could potentially have a defective DePuy ASR hip implant, many patients are asking the question “Did I really need to have hip replacement surgery to begin with?” Many patients who elected to have the DePuy hip replacement surgery did so because they had hip pain and believed that this device would “cure” their pain. But, a hip implant is a treatment for the pain, not a cure.

Why isn’t a Hip Implant a Cure for Hip Joint Pain?

depuy hip implant asr recall attorneys new jersey philadelphia defective replacement The hip is a joint between the top of the leg bone (“femur“) and the pelvis bone (“acetabulum“). Hip pain is caused when there is damage to this joint. The main function of the hip joint is to support the weight of a body while standing, walking, or running. Damage can occur for a variety of reasons and cause pain, but, there is no “cure” for hip pain.

Hip replacement surgery was devised as one of the many treatment options which could help alleviate some of the pain by replacing, with a hip implant, what were believed to be the painful parts of the hip joint. In theory, a DePuy hip implant, or similar type implant, should provide a metal ball at the top of the femur and a new metal socket in the pelvis which would permit movement like the original hip joint.
The problem for DePuy hip implant manufacturers was attempting to reduce the friction between these hip implant parts which would, in theory, reduce the pain to a patient.

However, in trying to find this cure, doctors and patients may have minimized or downplayed the basic fact that hip implant surgery, in and of itself, is not a permanent cure, and causes significant post-operative pain to a patient.
In addition, because hip implants are not designed to last a lifetime, a patient must endure eventual pain when the hip implant begins to wear down and needs to be replaced.

Where did the DePuy Hip Implant Go Wrong?

The recalled DePuy hip implant was marketed as a new and revolutionary hip implant technology involving the metals chromium and cobalt which were supposed to produce near frictionless movement of the hip joint. No wonder many patients were eager to seek this “cure!”
However, recent studies have shown that DePuy’s ASR chromium on cobalt hip implant system actually causes more wear and tear and will not last as long as a traditional hip implants.

DePuy hip replacement patients now must endure additional pain and even additional surgery when, as studies suggest, their DePuy hip implant wears out prematurely and needs to be replaced. The pain and other medical risks associated with a worn out and defective DePuy ASR hip implant, is likely far greater than the pain patients would have faced had they elected not to undergo the DePuy ASR hip implant surgery in the first place.

Sadly, what we now know is that although DePuy Orthopeadics and other hip implant manufacturers marketed this product and surgery as safe, effective and a pseudo “cure,” medical research shows that hip implant surgery is never a cure for hip pain. All patients should consider all medical risks and get at least two independent opinions from orthopaedic surgeons.
If many of the 96,000 DePuy ASR hip implant patients that are subject to the DePuy recall had sought this medical advice and realized that hip replacement surgery is NOT a cure, perhaps some of them would have been spared the additional pain and damages which they now will face because of their recalled replacement.

DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys in NJ and PA

If you have received a DePuy hip implant recall notice and would like more information on your rights and what you may be entitled to, please contact the Mininno law office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215)567-2380 in Philadelphia.
The team at the Mininno Law Office is experienced with defective product cases and would hard to earn you the compensation from DePuy that you DESERVE.

Is the DePuy Hip Implant Wear and Tear Just Like Other Implants?

depuy hip implant recall attorneys new jersey philadelphia asr replacement Whenever there is rubbing between two surfaces, there will always be wear and tear. All hip implants will have some wear and tear between the implant and the bone. During surgery, a surgeon will cut out the old hip joint and glue in a new hip joint (implant). These implants will have both a “ball,” which is at the head of the femur, and a “cup,” which is the joint/hip socket. These pieces will rub together and over time, break down.

However, although all of the implants do shed, most implant patients would not need a new implant for about 10 or 15 years. The wear rate for a metal-on-polyethylene implant is about 00.10 milileters each year. This hip implant wear rate was deemed to be medically insufficient.
The recalled DePuy hip implant system uses metal-on-metal bearings consisting of Cobalt and Chromium. DePuy advertised this system as producing less wear debris.

DePuy Hip Implants Don’t Deliver on Their Promises

Unfortunately, the medical research which tracked DePuy hip implant patients showed that these recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement systems had a greater rate of wear and tear, and were actually producing MORE wear debris. The research showed that there was a significant volume of microscopic metal particles which were being released into the patient’s bloodstream. These cobalt and chromium submicroscopic particles, accompanied with the rate at which they are being distributed within the body, can have seriously adverse effects on patients.

In addition, since the wear and tear rate of the DePuy ASR hip replacement systems seems to be greater than that of traditional hip implants, they are not lasting longer than traditional hip implants and surgery is needed much sooner. As a result, DePuy Orthopaedics, following an exposé published in the New York Times, finally issued a voluntary recall of these products.

NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

Although all hip implants (and all body part implants for that matter) are subject to wear and tear, the DePuy hip implant has a greater rate of wear and tear than it’s competitiors, and the metallic materials which are being shed during this wear and tear are hazardous to a patient’s health.
If you are the recipient of a DePuy ASR hip implant, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Our product liability attorneys will be able to offer you the right advice and steer you in the right direction concerting your next move. Let the team at the Mininno Law Office .

DePuy Hip Implant Claims – Is Time Ticking?

depuy hip implant recall attorneys new jersey philadelphia estatute limitations If you are one of the unfortunate patients who received the recently recalled DePuy Orthopaedics ASR hip implants, you are probably wondering if there are any time limits to make a claim?
Many people believe it is okay to wait until you have symptoms before making any type of claim for a defective hip implant. After all, why should you make a claim if your DePuy hip implant seems to be working and you are not experiencing hip symptoms?

In fact, most orthopaedists are advising patients to wait until they have symptoms before deciding to undergo a hip implant revision surgery. While that may or may not be sound medical advice, it is not sound legal advice for a defective DePuy hip implant claim.

Why Should I Rush to File My DePuy Hip Implant Claim?

Because you may lose your hip implant claim if you wait too long to bring it.
All states have what is known as a “statute of limitations,” which is a law that may bar any claims not brought within a certain period of time. For example, in New Jersey and Philadelphia, the statute of limitations is ordinarily two years from when a patient knew or should have known of a potential claim. If you have a Depuy hip implant, and you are not noticing any symptoms at this time, the statute of limitations may still be running on your claim as DePuy has already issued the recall notice. DePuy may try use the date of the recall notice as a statute of limitations defense.

The recall date was August 26, 2010, so DePuy may argue that any claim that has not been filed in a Court of law may be barred by the statute of limitations. What’s worse, if you began experiencing hip pain, discomfort or any other symptoms related to the defective hip implant BEFORE the recall date, DePuy may argue that your statute of limitations began running on the date you first experienced hip symptons.

DePuy Hip Implant Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Since it is often difficult to determine when a judge or a court would decide when you “knew or should have known” that you had a defective hip implant claim or lawsuit, you should consult with a lawyer now, before time expires on your claim. Remember, the medical advice regarding a defective hip implant, re-implantation surgery, and appropriate testing for potential toxins in your blood stream will be very different than the legal advice you should be given regarding when and how to present your claim.

Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. A DePuy hip implant recall lawyer will take the time and give you important information about your legal rights. You may also call us for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

DePuy Fights the New York Times and Loses

new jersey philadeplhia Depuy orthopaedics hip implant recall attorneys new york times Give credit to the New York Times for being the first to warn patients and doctors about the potential defects that eventually led to the Depuy hip implant recall.

In March of 2010, The New York Times was the first to break the story about these potentially defective products which could cause serious injury to patients. Although The New York Times’ data was essentially indisputable, DePuy issued strong denials and defended it’s hip implant’s track record.
DePuy fought back, saying that their ASR XL Acetabular System was just as safe as other hip implant systems distributed by other manufacturers. Ironically, as The New York Times reported, DePuy was actually attempting a “silent recall” by phasing out the sales of these defective implants, claiming it was for “business reasons,” and denying it had anything to do with safety.

Not surprisingly, DePuy’s strenuous defense of it’s hip implants turned out to be false. In fact, a few months later, in August of 2010, the FDA sent a warning letter to DePuy regarding other questionable marketing techniques. Within days, DePuy issued a voluntary recall of it’s ASR hip implant system, and finally conceded that the failure rate for this hip implant was greater than that of it’s competitors.
DePuy Orthopaedics President, David Floyd, then belatedly expressed “regret that this recall will be concerning for patients, their family memebers, and surgeons.”

Interestingly, there was no mention of The New York Times article which identified the precise problems with DePuy’s hip implants just a few months earlier.
Let’s give credit to New York Times investigative journalists, Barry Meier and Andrew W. Lehren, for first breaking the story. Without their reporting, DePuy would have been successful in it’s “silent recall” of these potentially defective hip implants, and patients would have never known about the health risk associated with these products.

Mininno Law Office DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

If you or a loved one recently have recently undergone a hip replacement surgery, you may be the recipient of a defective DePuy hip implant. To be sure, you should contact your orthopaedic surgeon, or the hospital where the procedure took place.
If you are, in fact, a recipient, you will need a DePuy Hip Implant Recall attorney. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

We are here to help you earn the compensation you deserve.

DePuy Distributes “Helpful” Handout for Defective Implant Claims

Recently, DePuy Orthopaedics posted a patient handout for hip implant claims on its web site. This implant recall handout is supposed to provide patients with detailed information about the full amount of compensation that patients would be entitled to receive if their surgeon implanted a defective DePuy hip implant.
That handout states as follows (click on the image to enlarge):

DePuy sells Defective Hip Implants; Hires “Claims Adjustors” in Aftermath

In this country, our civil justice system deals with what happens when a corporation breaks the rules of society that are designed to keep citizens safe. Here, DePuy Orthopaedics has admittedly broken our civil rules of society by selling, for a profit, a defective product; more specifically, a defective hip implant. DePuy sold this product in order to earn a profit for its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, a publicly-traded company whose reported annual revenues of the 2008 fiscal year were $63.75 BILLION DOLLARS.

The question becomes:

What is fair compensation for a person who needs to endure pain, disability, loss of income, hospitalization, and the many risks associated with a second surgery when a $63.75 billion corporation sells, for profit, a defective hip implant?

Should a patient allow a DePuy claims adjuster, hired and paid by DePuy, decide what is their fair compensation? Would this DePuy employer be more concerned about a patient’s health and welfare, or the health and welfare of his/her employer Corporation?

NJ and PA Depuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

Ultimately, any person with a defective implant should consider presenting this claim to a jury of their peers to decide what would be fair compensation. DePuy’s “claim process” would shield the company from a jury of his or her peers to determine what this 63.75 billion dollar corporation should pay as fair compensation for its defective product – the ASR XL Hip Implant System.

We are strongly encouraging anyone with a potentially defective hip implant to contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.
We’ll inform you of all, not just some, of your rights.

Are You Seeking Legal Representation Against DePuy Orthopaedics?

new jersey philadelphia depuy orthopaedics hip implant recall attorneys
Everday, the Consumer Product Safety Commision issues information about defective products that are being recalled. Many people are wondering, “Are these types of defective product recalls the same as the DePuy Orhtopaedics hip implant recall?” The simple answer is no.
Ordinarily, if you purchase a defective product and it is recalled, you simply have to stop using the product and return it for a refund. Although it is inconvenient, it is a very simple issue to resolve. However, a recall involving a defective hip implant is not quite so simple. These are some of the steps that must be taken.

Determine if your surgery was before or after July, 2003. If your surgery was before this date, you do not have a DePuy hip implant as they were only available after this date.

Contact the orthopaedic surgeon who performed your replacement or the hospital where the hip implant surgery took place. Ask them, “Did I receive a DePuy Orthopaedics ASR XL Hip Implant System?” If not, your implant is not part of the recall. If, however, your doctor tells you yes, you must locate the surgeon who performed your hip replacement procedure. If that surgeon is unreachable, you can request your records from the hospital where the procedure took place. Hospitals are required to keep records of any and all implants they place in patients, and there likely will be a record of the hip implant you received.

My Hip Implant was Manufactured by DePuy; What Now?

If you have determined that your hip implant is part of the DePuy hip implant recall, you can do one of two things:

1. You can contact DePuy directly about compensation. However, you will be speaking to trained claims adjustors whose jobs are designed to settle your case at the lowest possible cost to DePuy. This course of action is not recommended.

new jersey philadelphia depuy orthopaedics hip recall attorneys defective replacement — Pictured is the ball and socket portion of the artificial hip joint that is realeasing metal particles in the bloodstream after wear and tear to the implant.

2. You can contact the Mininno Law Office regarding the recall. Here, we can ensure that a fair and reasonable claim can be presented to DePuy. It will include a claim for:

– Any additional testing and treatment;
– Medical treatment for any problems associated with the defective implant;
– Revision surgery for the explantation of the defective implant, and re-implantation of a non defective hip implant;
– Out-of-pocket medical expenses;
– Additional compensation such as lost work, time, and travel expenses; and
– Money damages to the full extent of the losses and harms caused by the defective hip implant.

NJ and PA DePuy Recall Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

Our system of civil justice demands that people who have been injured becasue of a wrongdoer’s negligence must be compensated. If you or someone you know has a DePuy hip implant, please call us for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
We can offer you more information regarding the full compensation to which you may be entitled.

DePuy Hip Implants Release Toxic Metallic Debris Into Bloodstream

Recently, there has been a lot of news surrounding the recall of the DePuy Orthopaedics defective hip implant system. The product recall occurred after a medical study in Great Britain revealed that this hip implant had up to a 13% failure rate within the first five years of surgery.
And, as if early hip replacement failure and the necessity of additonal surgery wasn’t bad enough, the wear and tear from these defective hip implants is resulting in the flow of metallic debris throughout the bloodstream.

What are these metals?

depuy hip implant recall new jersey mininno law office Chromium and Cobalt. These metals are not found in your local vitamin store: Chromium is a chemical element found on the periodic table under atomic number 24. It is used to make stainless steel and all of the shiny parts called “chrome” on automobiles.
While it may look pretty on a “tricked out” automobile, when it circulates in the bloodstream, it has been associated with numerous health problems.

depuy hip implant recall nj and pa attorneys mininno law office Similarly, Cobalt is also a chemical element found on the periodic table under atomic number 27. Since ancient times, it has been used as a blue pigment to tint glass, jewelry, and furniture.
However, when it is released into your bloodstream as a result of wear and tear of a defective hip implant, it can also cause serious health problems. It is considered a carcinogen by healthcare professionals. It is definately not a substance that a patient wants circulating through his or her bloodstream.

In selecting these metals, especially with the knowledge of their potential side effects, DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, was hoping to create a better hip implant. Instead, the research is starting to show that they have in fact created a defective product which not only results in pain, suffering, and additional surgery, but exposes patients to harmful chemical elements in the bloodstream.

Have a DePuy Implant? NJ and PA DePuy Recall Attorneys

If you have a DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant, you should be aware that these implants have been recalled. You should consult with your family doctor and orthopaedist to determine whether or not you have been exposed to chromium or cobalt metals, and whether you have any symptoms associated with these chemicals.
If you would like more information about the recall, please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Are all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants Defective?

Recently, we have been asked if ALL DePuy hip implants are defective. Currently, there is no real answer because it is simply too soon to interperet the data on these defective DePuy hip implants.

new jersey philadelphia depuy orthopaedics lawyers implants recalled What is known is that the recall affects the ASR XL Acetabular System, which is used for total hip replacements, as well as the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which is used in a newer kind of procedure involving bone conservation.
The ASR Hip Resurfacing System has not yet been approved in the United States, but according to Johnson & Johnson, some patients may have gotten these implants through a clinical trial when the company was seeking FDA approval for the hip implants.

Therefore, one of the first things a patient needs to determine is whether or not they have a total DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement system, or the DePuy ASR hip resurfacing system. A combined total of about 93,000 of the total hip replacement system devices have been implanted worldwide. Presently, the data shows that only 1 in about 8 of these hip replacements have caused patients symptoms, and have required correction.
However, since the symptoms of a defective hip implant may mimic other symptoms, many patients do not yet know whether or not their implant is defective. Many patients are insisting that they get corrective surgery now, before these defective implants cause signs and symptoms, to prevent future problems such as microscopic metal particles in the bloodstream.

So, while the data does not suggest that all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants are defective, it simply is too soon to come to a final conclusion about the number of patients who will have symptoms related to these defective implants.

NJ and PA DePuy Orthopaedics Defective Hip Implant Attorneys

If you have any concerns regarding a DePuy Orthopaedics implant, you should contact your orthopaedic surgeon or family doctor.
If you want to know what your rights are regarding these recalled hip implants, contact the Mininno Law Office. Our NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and earn you any and all compensation that you deserve. You may call the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

DePuy Hip Replacement Recall: Is a New Hip Worth the Risk?

depuy orthopaedics Recall Attorneys hip implant replacement New Jersey Philadelphia With the recent news about the DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement recalls, many people are asking, “Is a hip replacement worth the risk?” Each year there are nearly ¼ of a million hip replacement surgeries performed. Many hospitals and surgeons boast of how simple, safe, and effective hip replacement surgeries are. Afterall, a hip replacement surgery only takes about 1-3 hours and, many times, patients are up and about and returning to work as early as one week after surgery.

However, the decision to have a hip replacement should be one that is made only as a last resort.

When is it Time for a Hip Replacement?

Prior to a hip replacement, you should get at lease 2 opinions from 2 different orthopaedists who have reviewed your x-rays, performed physical examinations to evaluate your condition, and who know how your hip problems are interfering with your activities or quality of life. Mild pain or symptoms that make things a little more difficult should not be sufficient reasons to schedule a hip replacement surgery. For most patients, a hip replacement surgery should only be considered if they have been having signifcant pain for at least 4 years before their surgery.
In additon, the hip should be replaced only if there is severe joint stiffness after exertion, and a significant reduction of the range of motion in the hip joint. Hip replacement surgery is major surgery which carries with it all of the risks associated with surgery (e.g., infection, surgical errors, worsening of the condition, hardware failure, anesthesia risks, and even wrongful death).

Not only that, but you will forever set off the metal detectors at airport security screenings!

If those risks and consequences were not enough, the recent recall of DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants should give all potential hip replacement patients reason to think twice before agreeing to this procedure.

DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

At the Mininno Law Office, we work to gain recoveries for those who have been wronged. If you are the recipient of a DePuy Hip Implant, you may be eligable for compensation. If you have recently undergone a hip replacement, contact your orthopaedic surgeon immediately to find out if your implant was manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics.
If so, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.