It was announced in June 2013 that Johnson & Johnson, the maker of many healthcare products, will discontinue the sale of its metal-on-metal hip replacement products. Although these metal-on-metal hip replacement products have not been recalled by Johnson & Johnson, it claims that decreased sales are the reason it is being discontinued. The decrease in sales — almost a 90% drop since 2007 — has been caused by questions about the safety and effectiveness of the hip replacement joint.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had proposed a rule requiring manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip replacement products to follow an extensive safety process if they chose to continue selling the product. Johnson & Johnson did recall the DePuy ASR Acetabular System in August 2010 after reports of worldwide failings.
In addition, DePuy sold and marketed the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System, which included inserts that held the replaced joint made of plastic, ceramic and metal. The health issue was related to the metal liner.
Hip replacement patients have reported frequent occurrences of metal debris released into the body, which destroys soft tissue surrounding the hip joint. Many of these hip replacement patients have undergone revision surgeries. Adverse reactions include metallosis, tumors, bone and tissue loss and other infectious processes.
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling DePuy and Johnson & Johnson hip replacement defect cases for individuals and families for more than 37 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and surrounding areas, including Chicago (Wrigleyville), Chicago (Belmont Harbor), Chicago (Beverly), Chicago (East Village), Chicago (Lincoln Square), Chicago (Rogers Park), Aurora, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Crystal Lake, Round Beach Lake, Elgin, Forest Park and Glen Ellyn, Ill.
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