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The FDA recently added a new section on their website dedicated to metal-metal hip replacement systems.  It looks like a good resource if you’re looking at getting a hip replacement.

Consumers should take a hard look at the risks section, Concerns about Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Systems.

The FDA points out that there is a risk with metal shaving off into the body:

Because the metal ball and the metal cup slide against each other during walking or running, some tiny metal particles may wear off of the device and enter into the space around the implant. Some of the metal ions from the metal implant or from the metal particles may even get into the bloodstream.

The Oklahoman reported yesterday that autopsy reports show the drugs Darvon and Darvocet caused the deaths of at least 112 Oklahomans from 2006 to 2010.

The U.K. banned the drug back in 2005, but it wasn’t until this past fall that it was banned in the U.S.

If you’re currently still taking Darvocet, contact your doctor.

Here’s the FDA video on the product ban:

First off: any idea why a company would want to quickly settle your claim?

To save money.

The insurance company for DePuy will have you sign a release.  In exchange for signing the release, the company will pay you a specified settlement amount.  The release is simply you “releasing” your rights to sue on this claim.  Once you sign the release, you are prevented from collecting anything later down the road – even if you are still having problems with the defective hip replacement.

Before you settle, or negotiate any claim, make sure you know what your case consists of:

1. Pain and suffering (now and down the road)
2. Current and future medical expenses – Besides the initial replacement surgery, you may need another one sooner than if the hip system had not been defective
3. Lost Income – it’s hard to work if you’re recovering from hip surgery

Your case likely has issues on outstanding medical bills, liens, and medical bills that were paid by your insurance company.  So, at the very least, talk with an experienced products liability attorney before settling.

The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System first became available in 2005.  The devices were marketed before any clinical trials were used to determine the product’s safety.  Since 2008, the FDA has received approximately 400 complaints from patients who received the replacements.

Beginning in 2010, DePuy said that they were phasing out the ASRs because of declining sales.  At this time, they did not mention the high failure rate from any of the studies.

In March 2010, DePuy acknowledged that the ASR Hip Replacements had a higher than normal failure rate.

Depuy issued a recall on its ASR XL Acetabular metal-on-metal hip replacement system on August 24, 2010.  The recall was due to studies showing that the hip system has a five year failure rate of approximately 13%.  That is, 1 in 8 patients are having to either get the hip system replaced or undergo a revision.

Defects and side effects of the hip system include:

• Component Loosening
• Component Mal-alignment
• Infection
• Fracture of the bone
• Dislocation
• Metal Sensitivity
• Increased metal ion levels in the blood
• Necrosis
• Swelling
• Nerve damage
• Tissue damage
• Muscle damage
• Additional operations