Holmes & Hills Solicitors act for hip replacement patients in DePuy hip claims

Thousands of patients across the UK are expected to have been fitted with faulty hip replacement units at a large number of hospitals around the country.

The faulty replacement units in question are the ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, both manufactured by DePuy, a subsidiary of the well known Johnson & Johnson company.

Statistics released by The British Orthopaedic Association show that on average 21% of the ASR units will fail after just two years and a staggering 49% fail after only five. This compares with average failure rates of competing models of only 2.1% after two years and 2.9% after five.

Jacqui Sayer, a clinical negligence lawyer at Holmes & Hills Solicitors, said “these failure rates are very significant and far exceed the industry average for alternative models used by hospitals. They suggest, and we are arguing on behalf of the patients we are acting for, that there is a considerable degree of liability on the part of the manufacturer, DePuy”.

The ASR models produced by DePuy are what are known as metal-on-metal units since both the socket and ball of the joint are made of a metal alloy. The joints fail when these metal parts wear, releasing small metal particles of Cobalt and Chromium into the bloodstream. Where high levels of these metals are released this can lead to metallosis – a form of blood poisoning.

Patients whose hips have failed can suffer a range of injuries as a result of these faulty hips. These include erosion of the tissue surrounding the hip, persistent or recurring pain, significant swelling around the hip, loss of feeling in the hip or leg and problems with mobility.

As well as these symptoms patients may experience other symptoms which appear unrelated but may also be being caused by the hip unit, such as headaches or nausea. As a result of the unnecessary suffering they have experienced, many patients who received these hips are seeking compensation from DePuy, the manufacturer.

Mrs Sayer of Holmes & Hills said “we are currently acting for a number of individuals from across the UK who have been fitted with these hip units with the aim of making a compensation claim against DePuy on their behalf. We would welcome anyone who believes they may have received a DePuy hip unit to contact us with any questions or queries.”