Pryers Solicitors have been instructed by a number of patients to bring claims for compensation in relation to the failure of De Puy ASR hip implants, which have been recalled by the manufacturer.

Since the product was launched in 2003, over 10,000 people in the UK have been fitted with a De Puy ASR hip implant, either during hip replacement or hip resurfacing.

Towards the end of 2009, experts in Australia became concerned that a large number of ASR hips were failing prematurely, often requiring further surgery.  Earlier this year, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) issued a notice about the ASR hip, saying that there may be a problem.  They began their own investigations.  In September 2010, the manufacturer, De Puy, decided that the products should no longer be used; that unused stock should be returned to the manufacturer; and patients who had received an ASR device should be checked by their surgeons and, if they showed symptoms of failure of the device, revision surgery should be considered.

While the revision rate is still relatively low, at about 12 or 13% within five years, this is more than twice the rate that would be expected from other hip products.  It is therefore expected that a very large number of patients will have hip pain and will require additional surgery due to the defect in the particular hip used.   In many cases, such patients will be entitled to compensation from De Puy.

Pryers represent a number of people, from all over the UK, who have had problems with the De Puy ASR hip and who have required further surgery for revision, or are expected to require revision in the future.  Claims for compensation will be brought against the manufacturer under the Consumer Protection Act, which requires manufacturers to pay compensation for injuries and financial losses caused by defective products.  Most cases will be conducted on a “no win no fee” basis.

If you have been fitted with a De Puy ASR prosthesis, whether as a replacement or resurfacing,  and are having hip pain or other hip symptoms, please contact Richard Greensit, a specialist medical solicitor at Pryers.

Richard can be contacted on 01904 556600 or at richard.starkie@pryers-solicitors.co.uk.

Update: Please see related post: DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Products