In 2013, a team of medical researchers from Uppsala University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden led by NP Hailer published a paper titled “High Metal Ion Levels After Use of the ASR™ Device Correlate With Development of Pseudotumors and T Cell Activation.” in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research studying the safety of the DePuy ASR hip replacement system.
The authors state “Pseudotumors and immunologic alterations are reported in patients with elevated metal ion levels after resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip” but that “A direct association of increased cobalt and chromium concentrations with the development of pseudotumors has not been established.”
Among other things, the team hypothesized that “patients with higher blood cobalt and chromium concentrations are more likely to have pseudotumors develop” and that “elevated metal ion levels, small implant size, cup inclination angle, and patient age are risk factors for the development of pseudotumors.”
For data, the team studied 78 patients in whom 84 DePuy ASR hip replacements were implanted between 2006 and 2010. The team found that “Cobalt and chromium concentrations were greater in patients with pseudotumors than in those without”, thus demonstrating that elevated metal ion levels from metal-on-metal hip implants are associated with pseudotumor development.
Further, the paper demonstrated that “patients with larger implants were less likely to have them develop … age and cup inclination were not risk factors.”
Due to the fact that DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. failed time and again to notify users of these risks, a number of DePuy ASR lawsuits have been filed. If you or a loved one used a DePuy ASR hip replacement and suffered premature device failure, femoral fracture, elevated blood metal ion levels, or another DePuy ASR complication, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of DePuy ASR lawyers at the information provided below. We have the skills, resources, and experience required to win the justice you deserve.
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Our DePuy ASR™ / ASR™ XL Hip Replacement Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip replacements.