DePuy has stated that it intends to cover “reasonable and customary costs for the testing and treatment of patients, including revision surgery if necessary. Please contact Kevin Timms for further information.
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Tuesday, 12 April 2011
DePuy ASR Hip Replacement and Resurfacing System – Reimbursements
DePuy ASR Products Subject to Recall
The following DePuy ASR hip implants have been recalled:
- DePuy
ASR Acetabular Cups - DePuy
ASR Femoral Primary Heads - DePuy
ASR Femoral Modular XL Heads - DePuy
ASR XL Head Taper Sleeve Adaptors - DePuy
ASR XL Anatomic Heads - DePuy
ASR XL Anatomic Taper Sleeve Adaptors - DePuy
ASR 300 Cups - There are also a number of other DePuy
ASR implants which have been recalled
If you or anyone you know have concerns about your DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant please seek medical advice. Contact Kevin Timms in the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors to discuss whether you may be entitled to claim compensation.
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DePuy ASR Hip Implants – Generic Medical Advice
Those who have received a DePuy ASR hip replacement or resurfacing system since July 2003 are urged to seek medical advice.
If a patient is experiencing pain, swelling or having problems walking a blood metal ion test should be considered.
DePuy have advised medical professionals, in addition to their own medical judgment that:
- x-rays should be obtained on an annual basis
MRI scans should be taken where necessary, the findings of which should be correlated with clinical examination- Ultrasound scans where
MRI scan is not available
For further information please contact Kevin Timms in the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors on 01992 422 128 or by email at kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
Pseudotumours Associated with Metal on Metal Hip Resurfacings (Relevant to DePuy ASR Hip Implants)
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford have published a study on a clinical trial concerning a number of patients who had received metal on metal resurfacing, who has various symptoms and a pseudotumour.
This study showed that the most common symptom was discomfort in the hip whereas other symptoms included spontaneous dislocation, nerve palsy (a collective term for a range of nervous disorders that result in weakness or immobility of nerves in some region of the body) a noticeable mass or a rash.
If you have received a DePuy ASR hip resurfacing system or any other metal on metal hip resurfacing system please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors by telephone – 01992 422 128 – or by email – kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk .
Those who conducted this clinical trial estimated that approximately 1% of patients who have a metal on metal resurfacing system develop a pseudotumour within 5 years post implantation.
However, DePuy have established that approximately 12% of patients who have received the DePuy ASR resurfacing device and 13% of patients who have received the DePuy ASR total hip replacement have needed revision surgery within 5 years post implantation.
Those who have received a DePuy ASR hip implant since July 2003 should seek medical advice to confirm whether their hip implant is functioning correctly and they should contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors to discuss whether they are entitled to make a claim for compensation. We can be contacted on 01992 422 128 or email us at kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
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Psuedotumours caused by metal on metal resurfacing implants (Relevant to DePuy ASR Hip Implants)
At present there are many people who have concerns over their DePuy ASR hip resurfacing systems. The reason for this is that DePuy have reported that their ASR hip replacement and hip resurfacing system have an abnormally high failure rate. In terms of statistics, this equates to 1 in 8 patients requiring revision surgery within 5 years of implantation.
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford
A pseudotumour is defined as a tumour like mass resulting from inflammation, fluid accumulation or other causes. The study has suggested that such pseudotumours may present with a major nerve palsy (which is a collective term for a range of nervous disorders that result in weakness or immobility of nerves in some region of the body).
The study advises that “preoperative neurohysiological studies showed severe and irreversible pathological changes to nerve function with neurohistopathological evidence of complete nerve destruction with a previously unreported pathological appearance”. This may represent what may be a toxic pathological process resulting from metal on metal wear debris.
This study is not directly aimed at the DePuy ASR hip implants but metal on metal hip implants as a whole. However, it does confirm that there are severe injuries which patient’s could suffer if they do not regularly seek medical advice.
If you have had a DePuy ASR hip replacement or hip resurfacing system and are experiencing adverse symptoms such as pain, swelling or having problems walking please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors to discuss whether you are entitled to claim compensation for injuries sustained as a result of a failed DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant.
The product liability team can be contacted on 01992 422 128 or email us at kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk .
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Biological Effects of Wear Particles from Metal on Metal Hip Protheses (Relevant to DePuy ASR Hip Implants)
In 2008 the Institute of Medical University of Leeds
This study was concerned with the release of Cobalt and Chromium particles, particles which are also tested for when seeing if the DePuy ASR hip replacement or resurfacing systems have failed.
This study found that hip implants made with Cobalt and Chromium have the potential to release metal ions, which may be toxic to cells, induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA ) damage or cause the patient hypersensitivity.
The wear of metal on metal hip implants is dependant upon the design and in particular the carbon content of the alloy, the radial clearance and the head diameter.
DePuy have voluntarily recalled their ASR hip replacement and resurfacing system which have been in circulation since July 2003. However, the importance of this study confirms the need to have regular blood tests to ensure that your metal on metal hip implant is functioning properly. This is particularly important if you have received a DePuy ASR hip replacement or resurfacing system since July 2003.
If you have any concerns on whether your metal on metal hip implant is functioning properly you should seek medical advice from you operating surgeon, hospital or GP.
If you have experience adverse symptoms with your DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors on 01992 422 128 or send us an email at kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk .
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Monday, 11 April 2011
Why those with Metal on Metal Hip Implants Should have Regular Blood Tests
Recent studies have shown that metal on metal hip implants, such as the DePuy ASR hip replacement of resurfacing system release metal particles into the blood stream of a patient.
These metal particles are a good indicator of whether a hip implant is functioning correctly. Regular blood tests should be taken to see whether there are increased levels of Cobalt or Chromium ions within the blood. Increased Cobalt and Chromium ions are an indicator of surface wear of a metal on metal hip implant and can cause a soft tissue reaction leading to severe tissue damage.
Recent studies have indicated that metal on metal hip implants may cause non malignant tumours, known as ‘pseudotumours’ or solid lesions. Such tumours can form around the hip. Other indicators of whether a metal on metal hip implant has worn abnormally quickly are MRI scans and ultra sounds.
Those who have received a DePuy ASR hip implant or another metal on metal implant should seek medical advice immediately and contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors to seek advice on whether they are entitled to make a claim.
The British Hip Society has advised that where a pseudotumour is present, revision surgery may be much more challenging as it may require difficult debridements (removing dead, contaminated or adherent tissue) and reconstructions.
Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that anyone who is due to have revision surgery requests that their hip implants, whether a DePuy ASR implant or other metal on metal implant be retained for expert evaluation. Garden House Solicitors also strongly recommend this as it will add weight to any claim you may be entitled to make.
Any hip implant that is removed during revision surgery should be retained as the metal on metal hip implant is the property of the patient and cannot be discarded as medical waste without the patient’s permission.
If you have had a DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors for further information and advice on whether you are entitled to claim for the injuries you have sustained and other financial losses associated with your DePuy ASR hip implant or other metal on metal hip implant.
If you are concerned that you have received a failed DePuy ASR hip implant since 2003 or another metal on metal hip implant, please contact the product liability team at Garden House Solicitors on 01992 422 128 or send an email to kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
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DePuy ASR Hip Replacement and Resurfacing System
In August 2010 DePuy, a division of Johnson and Johnson, voluntarily recalled its ASR XL Acetabular hip replacement system and its hip resurfacing system.
Data has shown that within five years of implantation, approximately 12% of patients who had received the ASR resurfacing device and 13% of patients who had received the ASR total hip replacement needed to have revision surgery. This equates to 1 patient in 8.
These astonishing figures apply to the DePuy ASR hip replacement and resurfacing system which were implanted between July 2003 and August 2010.
Garden House Solicitors strongly recommend any person who has had a hip replacement or resurfacing system (“hip implant”) since July 2003 to speak with their operating surgeon or hospital to seek confirmation of the brand of hip implant they have received.
In the event that you have been provided with a DePuy ASR hip implant we advise that you make an appointment with your surgeon to ascertain whether your implant is functioning properly. Even if you are not currently experiencing adverse symptoms, those with DePuy ASR hip implants should make annual appointments to ensure that no problems have arisen with the DePuy ASR hip implants.
If you have received a DePuy ASR hip implant since 2003 please contact Garden House Solicitors as you may be entitled to claim for the injuries you have sustained and any financial loss you have suffered as a result of the ASR hip implants being defective.
DePuy have confirmed that, as a result of the recall, additional testing and treatment may be necessary to check that your implant is functioning well, the reasonable costs of which will be covered by DePuy. These costs may include the costs of testing, any treatment and revision surgery that may be needed.
Symptoms
The adverse symptoms those with DePuy ASR hip implants should be aware of include, but are not limited to, pain, swelling and problems walking. Though such symptoms may be common immediately after hip surgery, if such symptoms continue or come back and if you have had a DePuy ASR hip implant since 2003, contact Garden House Solicitors for advice on any claim you may be entitled to make.
Why are Those with DePuy ASR Hip Implants Experiencing Problems?
Garden House Solicitors understand that DePuy are in the process of investigating the precise cause of the problems associated with the DePuy ASR hip implant. However, DePuy have suggested that such problems may be caused by loosening, fracture or dislocation.
Another problem with the DePuy ASR hip implant is its components. The DePuy ASR hip is made up of metal components. These components are known to wear over time, releasing metal particles. Some patients react to these particles, which causes fluid to collect in the joint and the muscles around the joint. The symptoms experienced vary from patient to patient and whilst some experience a considerable amount of pain, there are those who do not experience any pain. If left untreated, this fluid could cause pain and swelling around the joint and can damage the muscles, bones and nerves around the hip.
For this reason, Garden House Solicitors strongly recommend that anyone who has received a DePuy ASR hip replacement or resurfacing system to contact a member of our product liability team to seek advice on what steps they should take next and whether they are entitled to make a claim.
DePuy have confirmed in a Field Safety Notice on 24 August 2010 that patients may develop progressive soft tissue reactions due to metal wear debris. This debris can cause soft tissue damage which may compromise the results of revision surgery.
In the event that you are due to have revision surgery Garden House Solicitors strongly advise that you request that your implants be retained so that the implant can be independently examined. This will strengthen any case you may be entitled to make.
Why Garden House Solicitors?
Garden House Solicitors’ product liability team are able to advise you as to whether you are entitled to make a claim for injuries and other financial losses associated with the DePuy ASR hip implant recall. We are able undertake your case on a Conditional Fee Agreement (No Win No Fee) or under the terms of any pre existing legal expense insurance you may have.
Garden House Solicitors are currently instructed by a number of women who are making a claim for injuries sustained from the provision of defective PIP breast implant from a number of cosmetic clinics and are therefore experienced in dealing with defective medical devices.
If you are concerned that you have received a failed DePuy ASR hip replacement or resurfacing system since July 2003 and are experiencing pain, swelling, having trouble walking or experiencing any other adverse symptoms please contact a member of the Garden House Solicitors product liability team on 01992 422 128 or send an email to kevin@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
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