Every year, approximately 1 million artificial knees and hips are implanted in patients in the United States, yet none of these orthopedic devices carry warranties. While other medical devices such as pacemakers carry a warranty, joint implants do not.
The average failure rate for hip implants is 5 percent, but in some cases that number has been much higher. In July, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled their ASR hip implants because of reports the device had an early failure rate of 12-13 percent.
Without a warranty in place on the devices, no discount on secondary implants, and the average cost of a revision surgery running around $50,000, the cost burden for this highly lucrative business falls, to a large degree, on American taxpayers. Oftentimes, companies refuse to offer warranties, blaming joint prosthesis failure on surgeons, improper insertion and even patients themselves.
As a Charleston hip recall lawyer, I think companies should change their perspective on warranties for artificial joints. Companies can and do profit handsomely from the lack of such guarantees. If you or your loved ones have been faced with a financial burden because of a failing knee or hip implant, contact a hip replacement recall attorney.
