At the end of 2010 it was estimated that the likely failure rate for the DePuy ASR hip implant stood at 13% after five years. However, at the British Hip Society Annual Conference in early March the UK experts produced new research which indicates a much higher than anticipated early failure rate of these implants.
According to the British Orthopaedic Association, the revised failure rates range from 21% at four years (with that figure increasing to 35% if every implant recipient experiencing pain had revision surgery) to 49% at 6 years.
Therefore, it is now estimated that nearly half of all DePuy ASR hip implants could fail within 6 years. This will result in thousands of people worldwide requiring revision surgery and with 3,500 people implanted with the device in Ireland it is likely that over 1,700 people in Ireland alone will require the revision surgery.
In addition to the higher than expected failure rates, the British Orthopaedic Association and British Hip Society also discussed findings in relation to the problems associated with the DePuy ASR hip implant. The ways in which the DePuy ASR hip implant can fail include:
- Loosening of the various components in the implant;
- Necrosis (premature death of body tissue) or soft tissue damage due to exposure to metal and;
- Elevated cobalt and chromium levels in the blood.
Symptoms suffered by patients who have been implanted with the DePuy ASR hip implant were outlined to include:
- Severe pain, radiating into the groin;
- Radiographic changes including loosening and lysis (dissolution or destruction of cells) and;
- Fluid collections and cystic or solid masses around the joint.
The British Orthopaedic Association and British Hip Society have also warned that the problems associated with the DePuy ASR hip implant could be an issue with all metal on metal implants which use a similar large diameter ball and socket configuration. Worryingly, another of DePuy’s hip replacement products faces imminent lawsuits. While DePuy have not yet recalled their Pinnacle implant it has been reported that a number of people have made complaints alleging pain and other complications, similar to those caused by the ASR implant.
Lynch and Partners Solicitors is one of Ireland’s leading medical negligence practices. Contact John M. Lynch, Managing Partner, if you have any queries or believe that you may be affected by these symptoms or indeed any aspect of the DePuy ASR implant Recall.
