Tag Archives: DePuy hip replacement recall

Dr. Thomas Schmalzried Talks About Regular Examinations of Patients with Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants

Posted on March 4, 2013 by

In this recent video presentation, Dr. Thomas Schmalzried, one of the surgeon designers of the recalled DePuy ASR-XL hip replacement system, talks about how he clinically follows his patients with metal-on-metal implants to see if metal debris and metal ions are injuring them.  This video is of interest to patients with DePuy ASR-XL implants as well as other metal-on-metal implants such as those sold by Biomet, Zimmer, DePuy Pinnacle, or even patients with the recently recalled metal Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II stems and necks.

Notably, Dr. Schmalzried mentions recent research suggesting increasing instances of metal taper wear resulting from the stress put on the taper joint (between the ball and the stem) by the large metal head on many metal-on-metal implants.

Click below to see Dr. Schmalzried’s presentation:

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Gregg Borri

Another Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Bites the Dust

Posted on June 25, 2012 by

Following global trends in the orthopedic industry phasing out metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants, Smith & Nephew recalls the metal liner used with its R3 Acetabular Hip System.

Citing dissatisfaction with clinical results and a market skeptical of metal-on-metal hip implant devices, Smith and Nephew has pulled the metal liner used in its R3 hip system off the market.  This recall follows the infamous recall of the DePuy ASR MoM acetabular system, as well as growing concerns over the safety of metal-on-metal hip systems in general, including: the DePuy Pinnacle Ultamet liner, Biomet M2a-Magnum hip replacement, and Zimmer Durom hip replacement.

Metal-on-metal hip implants were marketed as the ideal bearing choice for young and active patients.  However, research has shown that as a whole, metal-on-metal hip implants are associated with a higher rate of complications and revision surgeries than hip devices with alternate bearing options.  The recalled Smith & Nephew metal liner for example, has a higher rate of revision than is acceptable in the orthopedic industry.

Symptoms of a failed metal-on-metal hip can include metallosis, inflammation, damage to surrounding soft tissue and bone, pseudotumor development, and device loosening.  The long term consequences of metal toxicity are not yet wholly understood.

A Second Source of Debris in Metal Hip Replacements: Second Shoe Drops on Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Thousands of patients with the DePuy ASR™ metal-on-metal hip replacement (recalled in 2010) have filed lawsuits when their hip replacements failed prematurely due to the production of metal ions and debris. Initially it was believed that most of the metal ions and debris were created by edge loading of the femoral head against the perimeter of the acetabular cup. More recently however, studies are demonstrating what had been suspected for some time – that wear and corrosion of the taper junction between the tip of the femoral stem and the base of the femoral head was also producing dangerous metal debris. This appears to be a problem particularly with large diameter metal femoral heads probably because these heads cause more force to be channeled through the taper junction between the head and the stem.
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Borri Law Offices Presses Forward with New Jersey DePuy ASR™ Hip Replacement Litigation

Posted on May 16, 2011 by

Lawyers prosecuting DePuy ASR™ hip replacement claims for patients suing in New Jersey Superior Court met with Judge Brian R. Martinotti last week in Hackensack, New Jersey to take steps to organize and prosecute claims that defective and now-recalled DePuy ASR™ hip implants injured many patients. Gregg J. Borri, along with approximately twenty other plaintiffs’ lawyers, met with Judge Brain R. Martinotti and defense counsel for DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson to press forward with pretrial preparation of the cases filed in New Jersey Superior Court.
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The DePuy Hip Replacement Recall: Yet Another Scandal for Johnson & Johnson

Posted on May 3, 2011 by

Johnson & Johnson has traditionally been one of the most trusted manufacturers of medical and health products in the United States. In the last several years, however, many Johnson & Johnson subdivisions have been roiled by waves of controversy over product quality. The company’s latest recall of DePuy hip replacement products is yet another scandal for Johnson & Johnson which may have untold effects on the company and its most valuable asset: its good name.
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DePuy Hip Replacement Recall Sheds Light on FDA Medical Device Approval Process

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on April 13th regarding how medical devices are approved for sale by the FDA. The hip replacement recall of the DePuy ASR was also discussed at the hearing, placing emphasis on the importance of the testing and better post-market surveillance of medical devices.
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