The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally issued a document regarding the risks of metal-on-metal hip implants. They have issued the communication to orthopedic surgeons, previous and potential recipients of the defective implants. The document outlines the risks and dangers involved with receiving a metal-on-metal implant. This should come as no surprise to thousands of DePuy hip implant recipients who have experienced dangerous complications as a result of the faulty design. Many patients had to undergo a dangerous and painful corrective surgery to have the product removed. Recipients may be wondering why it has taken the FDA so long to get the information out about these dangerous implants.
In fact, in 2010 DePuy had a massive recall for their ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems and ASR XL Acetabular Systems. Over 90,000 products were recalled due to the incredibly high early failure rates. Similar faulty products from Zimmer and Stryker have also been recalled. Recipients who received the faulty implants have experienced a wide range of dangerous complications. Many of these patients ultimately had to have the products removed surgically. Unfortunately, even if these defective implants are removed in time to avoid potentially deadly side effects, patients are often left with even more complicated joint problems. They can suffer from ongoing pain and the lingering effects of damaged soft tissues, bones and joint capsules.