DePuy Hip Replacement Signs of Trouble
November 12th, 2010. By AbiK
One of the most interesting things I’ve come across while reading some DePuy ASR Hip Replacement recall message boards is that many hip replacement patients don’t seem to even know what hip implant they received. The upshot of that is that, at the least, they have no clue what’s been put inside their bodies, and at the worst, if there is a problem with the implanted medical device, they may not know it—or news of such must rely on a string of communications from manufacturer to health provider to patient—and that’s if you’re lucky.
So news of the DePuy hip implant recall may—or may not—have reached those who actually have received the ASR hip replacement—and that’s not an ideal situation for such a serious recall.
The DePuy hip replacement recall was for about 93,000 units of the DePuy ASR Hip (manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics). While some online reports were suggesting that upwards of 80,000 DePuy ASR Hip patients may ultimately need hip replacement revision surgery, studies have been done that suggest the rate of hip revision surgery is more in the range of 12-13%—meaning that one in twelve to thirteen DePuy Hip patients may well need hip revision surgery within five years of having their initial DePuy hip replacement surgery.
So if you’re one of those patients—one of the 12-13%–how would you know it?
From actual reader comments, it sounds like one of the main symptoms is the inability to squat—at least not to the full range that you should be able to post-surgery and post-therapy. There have also been first-hand reports of things like still using crutches for much longer than the usual timeframe anticipated post-hip replacement surgery. But the main signs to look for—those that appear to be consistent among patients with a defective DePuy ASR hip implant are these:
- Pain—or continued pain—in the hip, leg, lower back or groin area, after the appropriate healing time has passes
- The feeling that something is “loose” in your hip
- A “clicking” sound in the hip area
- The feeling that the hip is slightly dislocated or not fully connected while in motion, particularly when standing up or lowering oneself, or during general leg/hip movements
- The inability to fully move within the normal range of one’s physical activity
Given that DePuy lawsuits have been filed, and that seeking legal help may be the only way for someone who’s received a defective DePuy hip replacement to ensure that they get any damages that may be awarded to them, if you’ve had hip replacement surgery and are experiencing any of the above symptoms and they don’t appear to be going away, you should first contact your doctor and/or surgeon to find out the manufacturer and make of the hip implant you received. If it was indeed the DePuy ASR hip, you should most likely speak with an attorney who specializes in DePuy hip lawsuits.
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I had hip resurfacing in my left hip on November 4, 2009 – exactly one year ago and feel as though something is not fitting right – I feel it click back and forth like it's out of socket and it stays swollen all the time and i'm still in pain not to mention it gets stiff. I don't think I'll ever be able to squat. I've tried several times to get the papers on it but the doctor's office fails to get me that information. I finally got a card from them which shows "Stryker" as the manufacturer but that's all I know other than it was the Birmingham hip resurfacing procedure. I still have pain along the incision where they cut the muscle in half and still have pain in the groin.
Hi Cindy, Given that your hip surgery was over a year ago, and you’re still not feeling too great and feeling that something’s not quite fitting right, you most likely should consult with your doctor–aside from trying to get the info about what implant or device was used. You mention both Stryker and Birmingham–they’re two different hip replacement manufacturers (Birmingham is made by Smith & Nephew)–so I’m not clear on whether you had a Styker implant that was used in a hip resurfacing procedure (that is being commonly, and perhaps incorrectly, referred to as “Birmingham”), or if you actually had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) device. Regardless, you should follow up with your doctor for further evaluation and any potential treatment.
Both Stryker and Birmingham have had recalls–but not recently. However, having said that, the recent DePuy ASR hip replacement recall included both the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular & ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems. While I’m no scientist, doctor, or even lawyer (!), the BHR appears to be a similar system.
My suggestion would be to certainly follow up with your doctor to ensure proper medical care, and if you feel you may have a claim regarding the actual implant or device used in your procedure, you can submit a claim form for a lawyer to review–but keep in mind, any legal review of your case will require the specific details involved. Good luck.
You need to get legal help fast. Wen you request records from your surgeon you should be able to get all of them with out ant problems. I would also go to an other doctor just to be sure. It is nothing to play with. Also have your blood tested for cobalt and chromium poisoning. Good luck.
The person who wrote this article was a POOR MATHEMATICS STUDENT. 12% to 13% does NOT mean that one in 12 to one in 13 may need revision surgery. What it does mean is that 12 in 100 to 13 in 100 may need revision surgery. Properly divided out, 12% translates to: one in 8.33333333333333333333………; 13% translates to one in 7.69230769230769230…………….. 12% is not one out of every 12 people, but one out of every 8 and one-third people (12% works out to an exact fraction that will never come to a termination in decimals). 13% is not one out of every 13 people, but slightly less than one out of every 7 and one-half people (13% does not work out to an exact fraction, and will keep repeating the numerical sequence as you try to divide it out if I figured it out correctly).
Look at the numbers: the frequency is almost TWICE what it sounds like in the original description in the preceding article. If the writer had known his mathematics, he would have known that 10% is 10 out of 100, which evenly divides out as one in 10. However, if he had known his mathematics, he would have known that 10% is the only percent that works out like that. Using percentages can be more precise in some instances, but they can be very misleading when people who do not know their mathematics write articles and mess up like the writer of this article did.
I have been having problems since my THR in 2007. I am going to look into this situation since my chances are one in 7.69230769230….. of needing to have a revision due to the faulty design of the DePuy system.
Hi Jo, Thank you so much for your comment–and you are absolutely right! I have to plead a major goof on this one (and no, I wasn’t a poor math student–which makes my goof all the worse–just dealing with a lot of source material quoting different stats and typing faster than I was thinking, clearly–no excuse, but still); Yes, the rate of possible DePuy hip failure is actually more than I state, and as you point out. And I’m sorry to hear that you have been having problems w/your DePuy hip replacement since 2007. If you haven’t consulted your doctor already, you certainly should. And, of course, if there is a problem related to your having had a DePuy ASR hip implant, then you may well want to consider having a lawyer who specializes in DePuy lawsuits review your details; you can do that by filling out this form–it’s free service to our readers.
Cindy, All you can get from your doctor is that it is a Stryker and Birmingham resurfacing? No that is not all you can get from them. Go to your orthopedic surgeon's office and sign the papers, and they have to make you a copy of any records you request. If they tell you that you can only have them sent to another doctor's office, that is not true. You can get copies of your own records. You can get them sent to you or you can arrange to pick them up from their office. You will have to wait any where from a few days to a month or longer for them to get copies ready for you, but you can get them yourself. They may charge you a copying fee or give them to you free. How long it takes and whether they charge for the copies depends upon the office, but they have to give them to you. (At least, they have to give them to you in the U.S.A. I don't know about other countries.) The records at the ortho surgeon's office should have the information you need.
Hi all,
I’m about to have the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing done in 3 days. 11/23/10 … All this reacall info and Metal on Metal possibly causing High Metal Ions in the blood is scaring me ?? So far the only recall I’ve seen for the Smith & Nephew BHR is one in which there was a mistake in packaging where a particular sized socket was was marked on the package as being an other size than it actually was. Does anyone know of other BHR recalls ? This is nerve wracking !!
Thanks in advance for any information / advise on BHR S & N Hip resurfacing … gilfev
Hi Gil, Thanks for your comment–and good luck with your surgery tomorrow; to my knowledge there has not been any other Smith & Nephew BHR recall other than the one you mention. It’s just best to be aware of what procedure and hip implant you’re having, and to be aware and in tune with anything that may not feel right or in accordance with the “ususal” healing process–and to obviously discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor. Many hip replacement or hip resurfacing patients do just fine with their surgeries–so the information here is not to meant to scare you–only to help drive awareness of some issues that some patients have had with the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular hip replacement and with the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System; the only point we made was that the systems are similar in that they both are metal on metal ball and socket.
I had total left hip replacement February 14, 2009. fter the original healing period I had absolutely no problems The last two ot three weeks I have had constant pain in my mid thigh, knee and in my lower back on the left. It ranges from severe and preventing sleep at night, to a constant annoying ache in the inside of my left kneee and thigh. At the least it is a "tight" feeling. At its worst it prevents me from sitting or laying down and only standing alleviates it. I saw my Doc on the 1st ansd will see him tomorrow on the 14th. He proscribed a steroid pack of varying amounts that lasted six or seven days and said it would calm down any inflammation. Also, some vicodin so I can sleep. I am not really happy with either. I am having a hard time nailing down exactly what was implanted. The card he gave me that is laughed at by the TSA says Smith&Nephew. Is there known problems with them? I had my right hip replaced in February of 2005 and have never had any issue….I think it was a Brother component. I am just trying to gather info I can take with me tomorrow evening when I see him. He stated the x-rays on the first it looked intact and stable. Any guidence you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am a 48 year old law enforcement officer and these last two weeks have been difficult.
Hi Jim, Thanks for sharing what you’re going through–I’m sorry your hip replacement has been causing some problems for you lately. As far as information regarding Smith & Nephew, you can read my comment back to Cindy–above on this same post–where I mention a bit about the Smith & Nephew hip implant. As far as I know, there has not been a more recent recall of the Smith & Nephew implant. But I would certainly follow up with your doctor. Additionally, one of the tests a number of folks who’ve been affected by the DePuy hip recall are having done is a blood test–to detemine if any metal shavings/debris have been released into the bloodstream as a result of the hip implant components rubbing together–it might be something to consider in talking with your doctor. Again, that’s with DePuy, but may well be worth asking. I certainly wish you all the best as you try to resolve this–keep us posted on how you make out! Good luck!
Five months ago, my mother, 75, had hip surgery. Since the surgery, she has experienced lower back pain and groin pain to nthe extent of not being able to move at all. She has vritually been confined to a wheelcahir and bed. When pushed through therapy, the pain wraps around her lower chest and back to the point of collapse. In addition, she has experienced severe swelling in her legs. In essencee, she went from a life of moving around, albeit with pain, to a life of immobility. Doctor is trying to blame other problems but has no answere why they weren't hindering her before the surgery. Are these symptoms consistent with those from recent hip replacement recalls.
Hi Paul, I’m so sorry to hear how your mother is doing. As someone who’s gone through a mother having both hip and knee replacements, I understand your concern and know how my own mom was pre-surgery and then afterward–thankfully, it’s like she is a new person and back to her old self. Clearly that is not the case with your mom, and something is not right. While I’m neither a doctor or lawyer, what I would suggest is to follow up with your mother’s surgeon–have him examine her, find out what type (manufacturer and model) of hip implant was used, and also ask about a blood test–as with the DePuy ASR hip recall, one of the issues has been metal shavings releasing into the bloodstream–and, while I cannot be certain, this may be a circumstance of other metal-on-metal hip implant devices–so may not only be related to DePuy. If the evaluation yields that it was a DePuy hip, you may want to consider submitting a claim form for a lawyer who specializes in DePuy lawsuits to review. Let us know how you make out–I hope this helps a bit, and good luck!
I had THR in Feb 2010 using the DePuy Pinnacle and have been in constant pain, unable to place weight on the leg at times or unable to walk with comfort. After a second opinion and further testing, I was told I have a fracture in my trochanter, possibly caused during surgery. I have been told to live with it and be reexamined in 9 months. Meanwhile I am unable to work. I contacted DePuy several times regarding this, but have yet to hear back from them.
I have read on other websites that other people have also had problems with the DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular cup. Will this be the next recall?
Get Legal help NOW!!
I've had similar problems with the Pinnacle.
Hi Len, I'm getting more curious about all the complaints we're hearing with the DePuy Pinnacle hip, what type of problems have you had–are you still having them? I just find it odd that while the majority of issues are obviously with the DePuy ASR hip, another hip DePuy makes (the Pinnacle hip) also has a trail of unsatisfied patients. And there's a fair amount of complaints about the Pinnacle over at the FDA adverse event reporting site. So what has been your experience with the DePuy Pinnacle?
I have a Depuy ceramic on metal THR in 11/2009. Have had pain and problems with it from the beginning. Now 3 1/2 years later, I have terrible groin pain and pain on the outter hip area near my scar. I get terrible headaches with fogginess and rashes. It's as if I'm a different person…my personality has changed. I'm moody and emotional, I have trouble seeing and hearing. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a year after as well. Feel like I am suffering and complaining to deaf ears.
also in pain with
Hi Lorie, Not sure by your comment, but if you have not, you should certainly seek a medical evaluation to determine the cause of the pain; additionally, if indeed you have the DePuy ASR hip, you may want to consider legal help. To have a lawyer who specializes in DePuy lawsuits review your case, simply fill out and submit the form here.
I read all your comments and posts on the DePuy hip replacement recalls with interest because I am a victim of the DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip replacement, performed in December of 2008. While most law firms concentrate on the officially recalled ASR device, there are almost half as many FDA complaints from patients on the Pinnacle metal-on-metal device (FDA update late November: 1162 complaints on ASR, 485 on the Pinnacle). You'll find links to the numbers of FDA complaints within comments on the website mentioned below.
Other victims including myself have created a website, you might find it useful:
linkmommy.com/depuypinnaclevictims/
Regards,
Juergen Schaberick
Venice, Florida
Hi Juergen–thanks for your comment. We have been tracking news and adverse event reports for the DePuy Pinnacle as well–there are a fair amount of reports to date, as you mention. We've also added the DePuy Pinnacle as a topic on our forum–so in addition to posting here, anyone who's had the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement can share their story there as well. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.
Glad to have come across this article, did some research because my mum is about to undergo hip replacement, will definitely let her read this.
In 2007 I had BHR (Birmingham resurface) to replace my right hip. 6-8 months later I complained of back pain. I was sent to a back doctor,had x-rays; everything looked ok. The pain got worse and I started limping.Finally I went to an orthpaedic who specializes in hip problems. He removed the BHR,did an MRI and found the tissues and muscle had been deteriorated. I ended up in hospital fighting off an infection related to the BHR. I am home at last and gratefully alive; however I have no hip and am in a wheelchair.
I have a stryker knee implant and is causing me pain and problems i fall down walking it feels loose clicks when Im walking Im in need of a lawyer who can help who is not affraid of big biz
So many people are at a loss because of this problem. I would suggest that everyone find a really good lawyer. I recently had a similar issue with a different medical procedure and I used an great law firm. I would suggest those involved in the hip recall use one as well.
What is the timeframe for when the defective devices were implanted. My father had implants that had to be replaced. He passed on 20 years ago. So is there any possibility he received defective devices?
4 years since my hip replacement. I have had pain every day, hour, minute and seconds, to the point i felt like throwing in the towel. the replacement feel to big for the socket. and is 5/8" to long my muscle feels so stretched. Doctor replied there is nothing wrong. He basically washed his hands of me for complaining so much. I hope someday someone will listen to me. pat erpenbach mesa az
Hi Patricia, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with your hip replacement. It's hard to know exactly what's going on–and I'm not a doctor so I can't offer up much info in that regard. But from a legal perspective, the main issue with certain hip implants has been with those that are metal-on-metal–sometimes referred to as "MOM"; these implants have both the "ball" and "socket" components of the hip implant made of metal (vs. some implants that are made using plastics or ceramic); The main issue is that the metal components basically run against each other with normal hip movements, and that can lead to wear and tear, loosening, or even metal debris escaping into the bloodstream–which is why many hip implant patients who have problems with an MOM hip implant need to have blood tests if they're pursuing a lawsuit –in order to see if any of the metallic debris has indeed gotten into the patient's bloodstream. Now, I cannot say what might be causing your hip replacement problems–there are many things that might be going on; but if you'd like to have a lawyer review your complaint, you can do so by filling out the form here <a href="http:// (https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html?label=hip_and_knee_replacement_implant_failure&forward=319733)” target=”_blank”> <a href="http://(https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html?label=hip_and_knee_replacement_implant_failure&forward=319733)” target=”_blank”>(https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html?label=hip_and_knee_replacement_implant_failure&forward=319733). Best of luck to you and I hope you are able to find some help/relief.
I had the DePuy ASR at age 32. I got the recall letter in the mail almost 2 yrs later when I was 5 months pregnant.
My dr saw no issue.
One month after giving birth, I could no longer walk. Blood test showed pretty high levels of cobalt chromium but again, I was told no worries and that my pain was from giving birth
On my own accord, I did the blood testing every other month. Each time my levels got higher and higher.
My Dr's nurse called me and told me, as a mom to a mom, stop nursing!!! Alarmed, I got my blood tested again and …toxic levels in me. Fine, just test my breast milk and my son's urine and blood so that we can tell if he is now affected. Yep! My breast milk had chromium and cobolt as did my son's urine. Can I punch someone please!!!!
Hi madjhf, Very scary–this isn't something we commonly hear as unfortunately, the majority of hip replacement patients tend to be beyond child-bearing age–though obviously anyone at any age can need a hip replacement. I do hope everything is ok with your son–and with you (you didn't mention whether you needed revision hip surgery–?). Should you wish to submit a claim form for an attorney to review, you can do that here: https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form… I truly wish you all the best as I can only imagine how you felt one month after giving birth to have this happen with your hip. Good luck to you.