Depuy Failed Hip Surgery Lawsuits, Depuy Defective Hip Implant Lawsuits, Depuy Implantable Hip Failure Lawsuits, Failed ASR Hip Resurfacing System Lawsuits, Failed Depuy ASR XL Acetabular System Lawsuits by Texas Failed Hip Surgery Product Liability, Medical Negligence, & Defective Product Lawyer, Jason Coomer

In August, 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. announced that it would be recalling two hip replacement products, the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System, after receiving new data which indicated that more patients than expected experienced pain and other symptoms which required a revision surgery following the initial hip replacement procedure.  The patients with DePuy ASR and ASR XL metal-on-metal hip implants have experienced loosening and dislocation of the device resulting in the need for early revision surgery and/or the release of metal debris causing muscle and soft tissue damage.

If you or a family member have been the victim of a failed hip replacement surgery including a defective hip replacement cup implant or hip replacement system, please feel free to submit an inquiry or send an e-mail to Texas failed hip replacement surgery and defective hip implant lawyer Jason Coomer.  He is a Texas defective product lawyer & medical negligence lawyer and commonly works with other product liability and medical negligence lawyers to investigate and handle medical negligence & product liability lawsuits.

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On August 24, 2010, Johnson & Johnson, and its wholly owned subsidiary DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. announced that it would be recalling 93,000 hip implant products including: The ASR XL Acetabular System (Total Hip Replacement) and The ASR Hip Resurfacing System.  Both have an unreasonably high failure rate.

The decision to recall the two products was mostly based on the findings from a recent study conducted in the UK that showed a five-year rate of revision surgery of 12 percent for the ASR Resurfacing System and about 13 percent for the ASR XL system. The double digit rates are uncommon and higher than expected.

The study showed that the faulty hip replacement may cause serious injuries including but not limited to: 1) severe pain, swelling and inflammation leading to damage to surrounding bone and tissue, partial or complete lack of mobility and 2) Genotoxicity and potential cancer causing injury: One of the primary functions of Mammalian immune system is to fight imortalized cancer cells within the body itself. A diminished capacity of immune system not only increases the rate and severity of infection, it also becomes less effective in holding the cancer cells in check.

As a result of the study, the British Orthopedic Association advised the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK, that over time metal debris may affect the performance of a hip implant and cause painful complications. The same expert group links metal hip implants, such as DePuy AST to genotoxicity. The local exposure to metal debris causes the chromosomes of bone marrow or white blood cells to breakdown.

Genotoxic effects may result in cancer or even heritable defects, if reproductive cells are affected. The defect in these implant devices leads to misalignment of metal ball and acetabular socket causing a high rate of metallic shaving formation and accumulation of metal ions in surrounding tissues. The primary metals in these devices are Cobalt (Co) and Chromium (Cr), and potentially initiating the biological phenomenon of Genotoxicity, which results in genetic damage to chromosomes of ostiocites in femur bulb (bone marrow cells). Studies on mutagenicity of chemicals in human body have shown that there are good evidence for an association between these metal ions (and others not mentioned here) from hip replacement and increased genotoxicity in patients.

Hip Replacement Surgery including Total Joint Replacement Surgery, Total Hip Replacement Surgery, and Surgery

Hip replacement surgery, also called total hip arthroplasty, involves removing a diseased or broken hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint, called a prosthesis. Hip prostheses commonly consist of a ball component, made of metal or ceramic, and a socket, which has an insert or liner made of plastic, ceramic or metal. The implants used in hip replacement are or should be biocompatible (meaning they're designed to be accepted by your body) and made to resist corrosion, degradation and wear.

Hip replacement surgery is typically used for people with hip joint damage from arthritis or a serious injury.  Followed by rehabilitation, hip replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore range of motion and function of the hip joint.  However, it should be understood that Hip Replacement Surgery is an invasive and serious medical procedure that can be extremely hard on a person and will require significant time to recover.  It is important that a person seeking a hip replacement consult with one or more medical doctors that they trust to determine if they are healthy enough to undergo hip replacement surgery. 

As a total hip joint replacement replaces the ends of both bones in a damaged hip joint to create new joint surfaces and a total hip replacement surgery replaces the upper end of the thighbone (femur) with a metal ball and resurfaces the hip socket in the pelvic bone with a metal shell and plastic liner, it is essential that the hip implants are biocompatible and are correctly made to resist corrosion, degradation, and wear as well as to work well without rubbing.

The hip joint is like a ball that fits in a socket. The socket portion of the hip is called the acetabulum. The femoral head at the top of the thigh bone (femur) rotates within the curved surface of the acetabulum.  With DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System there are two components: a one-piece acetabular cup which is a metal liner replaces the acetabulum, while the natural Femural head (ball) is covered with a metal sheet cap which is then inserted in the new Acetabular sucked placed in hip bone.

In an ASR XL Acetabular total hip replacement system, there are three components: the femoral stem is inserted inside the upper end of femur, the femoral head (or ball) is connected to the stem and then fits inside the replaced-Acetabulum of hip bone, the acetabular. Ideally, once the three components are aligned, more natural movement may be restored. Injuries: The two hip replacement products DePuy recalled are the ASR XL Acetabular System, and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System (the latter was not approved for marketing in U.S.). Compared with other hip replacements, the recalled DePuy ASR products are more twice as likely to fail within first five years,—about 1 in 8 percent of the replacements will fail within 5 years.

Metal-on-metal articulations produce principally nanoparticles and metal ions. Nanoparticles are more likely to cause genetic damage than microparticles. It has been shown that increased levels of metal ions in the serum produce a reduction in the number of CD8 lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells) which is dose-dependent. Progressive time-dependent mutagenic changes – translocations, chromosomal aberrations, and aneuploidy – have been shown in patients with metal-on-metal articulation. 

Revision Surgery: one of the most serious and prolonged injuries resulting from DePuy defective hip replacement systems, is the need for surgical extraction of the faulty ASR Hip Implant Device and often replacement with another defect-free Hip Replacement System of proper design by other orthopedic device manufacturer. The Hip replacement by its very nature of necessity is often surgically performed in middle-aged and elderly population. And recovery from the second hip replacement is often more difficult than after the first. A second surgery of this nature could and often does increase the risk of complications, severe infections, prolonged recovery time, and death. In some patients the infection resulting from defective ASR system, is so advanced and systemic that a revision surgery is not possible. In this group of patients the only option is a surgical extraction of defected device without any corrective hip replacement to restore the lost mobility function patients experienced in first place.

After a person has gone through an extensive hip surgery including the lengthy recovery and process, it can be very upsetting to learn that the manufacturer incorrectly made the implant so that it will have to removed and the person will have to undergo the hip replacement surgery again requiring more recovery, missed time from work, and missed time from family and normal functioning.

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Some experts feel that this recall was long overdue, and wonder why it took same devices were withdrawn from the market in Australia in December with The Health Report (Australia), Dr. Stephen Graves, director of the Association’s National Joint Replacement Registry, said that the registry years that the ASR device had a higher rate of failure. He said: In our 2007 annual report we identified the resurfacing part of as having at least twice the risk of revision compared to other resurfacing devices….after three years [there] was four to five times the risk revised compared to other devices.

Orthopedic surgeons around the US noticed defects associated with DePuy ASR XL Acetabular hip implants long before official products recall. According to Dr. Joshua J. Jacobs from the Rush University Medical Center, ―Most major medical centers have seen issues with this device. This does not come as a surprise. Defects Associated with DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip Implant System According to Dr. Kevin J. Bozic, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at San Francisco Medical Center, in reference to DePuy hip implants recall: ―It was a design failure that frankly was not picked up until they were implanted in thousands of patients.‖ The DePuy ASR Surgeon Recall Pack contains a detailed listing of defects associated with the ASR XL Acetabular hip implants. These defects include component loosing and malalignment, dislocation of the elements, infection, fracture of the bone, metal sensitivity, and pain.

Defects Associated with DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip Implant System According to Dr. Kevin J. Bozic, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at San Francisco Medical Center, in reference to DePuy hip implants recall: ―It was a design failure that frankly was not picked up until they were implanted in thousands of patients. The DePuy ASR Surgeon Recall Pack contains a detailed listing of defects associated with the ASR XL Acetabular hip implants. These defects include component loosing and malalignment, dislocation of the elements, infection, fracture of the bone, metal sensitivity, and pain. Current Litigation environment on DePuy: As of beginning of September a handful of calss action lawsuits have already been filed in U.S. District courts, with an strong appeal by plaintiffs seeking an order from Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 to enter an order transferring cases to the District of New Jersey and assigned to the Honorable Judge Susan D. Wigenton for coordination. As of September 3 the MDL designation of MDL 2197 has been assigned, although these cases have not been transferred yet, pending a hearing in late October. Lanier Law Firm is actively advertising these cases, and has filed 2 cases in Northern District of California San Francisco Division. There is also a growing nationally media and web campaign by various plaintiffs’ firms gathering these cases. Allegation in Original Petition filed in US Dist. Court, Northern Dist. Of Cal. San Francisco Div.: 1. Negligence 2. Strict Product Liability  (Manufacturing Defect);

Depuy Failed Implant Lawsuits are expected to include the following allegations including Design Defect; Inadequate Warning; Failure to Conform to Representation; Failure to Adequately Test; Breach of Express Warranty; Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability; Fraudulent Concealment; Intentional Misrepresentation; Negligent Misrepresentation; and Unlawful, Unfair and Fraudulent Business Practices in Violation of CAL. BUS. & PROF. CODE § 17200, et seq

Defective Hip Implant Devices Lead to Failed Hip Replacement Surgery and Patients suffering Pain, Impairment, and Mental Anguish as well as having to have Second Hip Replacement Surgery to Repair the Problem

Failed hip implant surgery including defective hip implants have been becoming more and more common.   Some hip implant medical devices that have been the subject of failed hip surgery lawsuits, recalls, or FDA actions include the Zimmer Durom Cup, the Stryker Corp. Trident Hemispherical and Trident PSL cups, DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems, and Depuy ASR XL Acetabular Systems.  Through failed hip replacement lawsuits many patients are alleging that defective hip implants including defective Zimmer Cups, Trident Hemispherical and PSL Cups, or DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular Systems have caused them pain, suffering, impairment, and the need for additional hip replacement surgeries.

The Zimmer Durom Cup has been implanted into over 12,000 people and is primarily used in Total Hip Replacement surgeries.  In July 2008 sales of the Zimmer Durom Cup were suspended by Zimmer, after reports that the cup was defective and failed to bond in many patients.  This failure to bond caused these patients to have to undergo painful revision hip surgeries.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has warned the Stryker Corporation about the Trident Hemispherical and Trident PSL cups that have "failed to function" as well as about hip implant components with "poor fixation"  These cup or failed implant have also required painful revision hip surgeries. The latest warning letter released by the FDA indicated that the Stryker Corporation received multiple complaints from 2005 through 2007 involving devices that failed to work and hip implant components that had bad fixation. Some hip implant failures have required that hip implant patients undergo a follow up surgery to fix the problem with the first hip implant surgery.  These problems in addition to the failure to function and poor fixation include the issue of terrible squeaking noises coming from the hip implant. 

In August, 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. announced that it would be recalling two hip replacement products, the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System, after receiving new data which indicated that more patients than expected experienced pain and other symptoms which required a revision surgery following the initial hip replacement procedure.  The patients with DePuy ASR and ASR XL metal-on-metal hip implants have experienced loosening and dislocation of the device resulting in the need for early revision surgery and/or the release of metal debris causing muscle and soft tissue damage.

The FDA has warned manufacturers of hip implants that the recurrence of squeaking noises of hip implants with ceramic bearing components have resulted in revision surgeries due to implant failures (fractures, pain, wear particles, and fragments) and many patients have and are expected to experience problems including Hip Pain and may require additional hip implant surgery to repair the defective hip implant devices.

In reviewing a potential failed hip replacement surgery medical negligence lawsuits and failed hip replacement defective hip implant lawsuits, it is extremely helpful to know what type of hip implant was implanted into the patient, when the hip implant occurred, if a second hip replacement surgery was needed or will be needed, when the hip implant began to malfunction, and what problems the defective hip implant caused.  It is also helpful to be able to review the medical records of the surgery.  For more information on potential defective hip implant lawsuits or failed hip replacement surgery medical negligence lawsuits, feel free to e-mail Texas Failed Hip Implant Surgery Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer.

Regardless, as to whether the failed hip replacement surgery was caused by a defective Zimmer Cup, defective Trident Hemispherical Cup, defective Trident PSL Cup, defective DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. ASR Hip Resurfacing Systemt, defective DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System, and/or negligent surgeon, it is extremely frustrating to a person that has had a failed hip replacement surgery to learn that they are going to have to undergo a second hip replacement surgery because of a product defect, manufacturing defect, or negligence.

Defective Hip Implant Device Lawsuits, Failed Hip Replacement Surgery Lawsuits, and Spinal Cord, Neck, & Back Surgery Lawsuits

Regardless, as to what type of failed hip replacement surgery lawsuit a person is litigating including a defective Zimmer Cup lawsuit, defective Trident Hemispherical Cup lawsuit, defective Trident PSL Cup Lawsuit, defective DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. ASR Hip Resurfacing System lawsuit, defective DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System lawsuit, and/or a medical negligence hip replacement lawsuit, a failed hip replacement lawsuit can take significant resources to investigate and file a lawsuit.  To pursue a failed hip replacement surgery lawsuit, it will be necessary to obtain the person medical records, medical expenses, and type of implant that was implanted.

Patients with Serious Hip Injuries when Seeking Pain Relief can sometimes Fall Victim to Defective Products, Negligent Health Care, and "For Profit" Medical Professionals Seeking to Increase Profits

Unfortunately, there are medical clinics, medical implant sales people, and doctors that are more interested in profit and their bottom line than what is best for a patient.  Some of these medical professionals carelessly cause painful and difficult conditions to become much worse by pushing defective medical devices or pushing surgeries when other less drastic medical options are available. 

As such, it is usually best to get a second or third opinion prior to agreeing to have a hip surgery operation as well as to make sure that you trust your medical providers and are sure that they are working in your best interest.

Texas Medical Malpractice Lawyers

As a Texas medical malpractice lawyer Jason Coomer handles Texas medical malpractice claims as well as federal medical malpractice claims and commonly works with other Federal Medical Malpractice Lawyers and Medical Malpractice Lawyers throughout the nation to seek compensation for wrongful death claims and severely injured patients that have been injured through medical mistakes and medical carelessness.

To have a successful claim, you have to have a doctor willing to testify that medical malpractice occurred and the negligence resulted in damages.  This medical negligence has to be more than just a bad result or judgment call, it has to deviate from the standard of care in the medical community.  As a Texas medical malpractice lawyer, Jason Coomer works with other professionals to review and handle medical malpractice claims.

Causes of Texas Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Unfortunately, medical mistakes happen when doctors and nurses get too busy, are understaffed, under the influence of drugs, or are just not paying attention.  As medical budgets go down and healing people becomes more of a "for profit" business, cost cutting measures are causing more medical mistakes.  Overworked surgeons, doctors, residents, and nurses are much more likely to make mistakes than well rested health care professionals.

Medical mistakes also happen more often when no one is watching.  It is extremely important when you are in the hospital to have someone that is with you and watching out for your well being.  This is especially true if you have an allergy to certain types of medicines.  Communication with your health care professionals is also important and can greatly limit medical mistakes.

Further complicated procedures such as spinal cord surgery require extremely competent surgeons that are on the top of their game to successfully complete.  A patient needs to be extremely careful when having spinal cord surgery to make sure that they have a good surgeon and everyone understands the risks of the procedure.  In some cases, even the best surgeons that do everything correctly will have bad results and the spinal cord surgery will fail.  However, at other times a defective product, a "for profit" surgeon or clinic, or a careless surgeon can cause a failed spinal cord surgery that will paralyze a patient for life.

If you feel you or need a Texas failed spinal cord surgery medical malpractice lawyer because you or a loved one has been seriously injured by medical negligence or someone close to you has died as a result of medical negligence, it is important to investigate the claim and make sure that it does not happen again.

Communication Prevents Many Medical Mistakes

Texas has several hospitals that typically provide quality medical care, but sometimes mistakes are made.  It is always a good idea to have someone that you trust look out when you are in the hospital.  This person can communicate important information regarding your condition and watch out for you when you are in the hospital.  It is important to make sure that you or your medical advocate communicate with health care professionals to limit the mistakes that are made.

However, even with proper communication medical mistakes are made.  If a mistake is made, it is important to report the mistake and if the mistake causes serious injury or death it is important to investigate a potential medical malpractice lawsuit.  This is because medical mistakes that no one knows about will not be noticed and will not result in future better medical care.  Medical mistakes that are reported will help other patients and are an essential part of the feedback needed to improve our health care delivery system.    

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Regardless, as to whether the failed hip replacement surgery lawsuit is caused by  a defective Zimmer Cup, defective Trident Hemispherical Cup, defective Trident PSL Cup, defective DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. ASR Hip Resurfacing System, defective DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System, and/or medical negligence, it is important to understand the cause of a failed hip replacement surgery. 

If you need a Texas Failed Hip Replacement Surgery Lawyer, Failed Hip Resurfacing System Lawyer, or a Failed Hip Cup Implant Lawyer, feel free to contact Texas Failed Hip Replacement Surgery Attorney, Jason S. Coomer.  His office frequently works with other Failed Hip Replacement Surgery Lawyers throughout Texas and the United States.