Depuy Recall

Joint replacement has come a long way since surgeons begun to perform the operation back in the 60’s. It was once an uncommon procedure reserved only for frail patients who have limited life expectancy.  In United States, approximately 120,000 hip replacement procedures are done each year. With the statistics saying that nearly 1/3 of ASR hip replacements fail in six years, hip devices is becoming a big concern for patients who are about to have hip replacement. DePuy Orthopedics has released their line of metal-on-metal hip devices on 2003.

In hip replacement, the damaged hip joint is replaced with a hip implant.  Different materials make up each kind of hip device, such as metal and plastic, metal and metal, and ceramic and ceramic. The different kind of hip prosthesis poses different level of risk, though ceramic and ceramic is believed to have the least risk.  The metal-on-plastic device is prone to loosening and metal-on-metal may tend to expose patient to metallosis or metal toxicity.

How long an artificial hip will last depends more on the person’s overall health. His age, level of activity, design of the implant, quality of the underlying bone, cause of the hip degeneration and skill of the surgeon may also play a part on its life span. With a highly dynamic technology, latest artificial joints are made to withstand more stress and strain making it longer lasting.

Hip replacement can last roughly 15-20 years, though there are cases where it lasted for 25 years.  Through the years, the device will lose its 100% functionality, and patient will need to have it revised. Hip revision surgery involves the repair of an artificial joint that has been damaged or loosened over time.  Revision surgery is more likely to happen to younger patients, especially with the expected number of years a hip device lasts.

As long as possible, doctors advise patients to go away with hip replacement for they are believed to be the group who need revision surgery.  The hip implants of younger patients wear out faster than older patients because younger patients have a more active lifestyle.  With this, hip implants that will last longer will be the choice of most patients. To avoid complications and untimely revision surgery, it is important to take into account the hip device to be used. Shortly after surgery, recipients of DePuy ASR hip of the DePuy Orthopedics are complaining of complications. A worldwide DePuy hip recall has been issued and recipients might need a revision surgery.