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DePuy Hip Implant Failure Could Affect Thousands

As Highlighted on BBC1's The One Show

Recall of the DePuy ASR Hip Replacement

In October 2010, DePuy Orthopaedrics issued a recall of DePuy ASR (Artificial Surface Replacement) Hip Replacement, claiming that they recalled the implant as soon as they became aware of the units complication.

Problems with the DePuy Hip Replacement Could Go Back to 2003

However various reports had been sent to medical bodies and DePuy themselves, describing the implants failure from as long ago as 2003, meaning that DePuy had continued to sell the units to hospitals regardless of the possible danger to public health, more than likely fearing legal repercussions.

One in Eight Failure Recorded

Doctors and patients have noted a one in eight failure within the first five years of the implants being used, which has resulted in corrective surgery for some patients and pain for others, not to mention the worry caused to patients of what has caused these complications and what they can do about it.

People with the DePuy Hip Replacements need to be made aware of what they can do if the hip fails, which is why Hattons Solicitors are trying to raise the awareness of this implant failure and what patients can do about it.

Symptoms of DePuy Hip Replacement Failure

Symptoms of the DePuy hip failure include pain, inflammation, loose hip cups, metal debris, metal poisoning, allergic reaction to metals, muscle and tissue damage and tumors.

The ASR implant unit was widely used in younger people, as the unit was supposed to allow for original bone tissue to be retained. However, excruciating pain and loss of sensation in parts of their legs has left patients wondering which way to turn.

Many Patients Have Already Started to Seek Compensation

Doctors claim that around 10,000 people across the UK could be affected by the failed hip replacement. In fact many patients in the USA have already started to seek compensation for the personal grief and the corrective surgery they have had to have, with UK patients expected to follow suit. Hundreds of these UK patients are based in Merseyside, suffering from crippling pain, due to the implants failure.

Advice for DePuy Hip Replacement Patients

The seriousness of the complications involved with the DePuy ASR Hip Implant were highlighted by BBC1's The One Show on Tuesday 24th May 2011, helping to increase patient awareness of the possible problems.

All ASR Hip Replacement patients are advised to obtain blood tests as soon as possible, even if they currently feel well. Even though a hospital x-ray may show the implant to be ok, there have been cases where the rubbing of the metal surfaces within the implant have rubbed together, meaning that metal fragments have infected the blood causing metallosis.

It has been suggested that some doctors are being encouraged by DePuy representatives to refer patients to Depuy's own legal company Broadspire, where they will need to sign a medical release form. This of course is not in the patients best interest, as the close relationship between the two companies means that the patient may not get what they are entitled to.

Personal Injury Solicitors Will Ensure That Your Best Interests Are Cared For

Therefore patients are advised to get legal representation, so they can get advice on what forms to sign and how best they can move forward while protecting themselves. A patient could feel fine now, but if the implant fails in the future, you do not want to relinquish your right for compensation in the future.

If you are a DePuy Hip Replacement patient who is unlucky enough to be readmitted to hospital for surgery to replace the defective implant, you are encouraged to NOT release the hip replacement to DePuy for testing. In some cases when this has happened, DePuy have caused irreparable damage to it that has meant that it couldn't be used as evidence, if the case needs to go to trial.

Put Your Mind at Ease and Call Hattons Solicitors Today

The failure of the DePuy Hip Replacement is a problem that could leave patients confused and unsure of what to do for the best.

At Hattons Solicitors we deal with all people who are faced with a medical negligence problem or a health problem from a product on an individual basis, helping to answer the individual questions that may be bothering you.

Click here to visit our Medical Negligence section

For initial advice call our team of legal specialists today on 0800 298 9690 or fill in the Claim Now form to the right of the screen and someone will call or email you back. Don't suffer in silence. Get legal advice that will put your mind at ease.