Last month, DePuy Orthopaedics issued a recall for their ASR hip implant products. It was discovered that their products were exhibiting an extremely high rate of failure, with one in every eight patients needing corrective surgery within three to five years time. The problem was seated in the fact that the metal-on-metal system released small chromium and cobalt ions into the body which then lead to cysts on previously healthy tissue and organs. In addition, the piece relied on new bone growth to secure the ASR system into the acetabular bone which didn’t happen and caused a loose, painful hip implant.
Now, it is coming to light that 41 orthopaedic surgeons received kickbacks from DePuy , a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in exchange for promotion and favorable press for their ASR products. Half of these surgeons didn’t disclose their financial incentive in the medical articles that they published. These kickbacks totaled $114, with surgeons receiving anywhere from $1-$8 million each.
As a hip replacement recall lawyer, I find this incredibly appalling. To think that innocent people are suffering from the deceiving practices of both DePuy and surgeons is incomprehensible. Obviously, neither group put the well being of the patient first. Now these victims are forced to undergo a second painful revision surgery which has an even longer recovery time than the initial hip replacement procedure. In some cases, correction may not even be possible.
If you are the recipient of a DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or an ASR Hip Resurfacing System, I urge you to contact a hip recall attorney before getting in touch with DePuy or Johnson & Johnson. Afterall, you need someone on your side who will fight for your legal rights in this horrible situation.