Hip Replacement Recall - What to Do If Your Hip Replacement Implant Has Been Recalled

Hip replacement surgery is an ordeal. No one would put up with this if they weren't in big pain, and if there weren't the expectation that they could walk again pain free. But what if your hip replacement implant gets recalled?

What a horrific thought! Recalls in general are bad enough. Whether it's your car's brakes that get recalled, or your baby's formula, or maybe your dog's chew toys, it's scary. But you CAN send them back and get them replaced.

But what do you do if the recalled item has been implanted in your body and requires major surgery to replace?

That's exactly what's been happening to tens of thousands of people who have received the DePuy ASR XL hip replacement implant. And there are many more who have received other types of implants that have been recalled, for example the Zimmer Durom Cup implant or the Stryker Trident implant.

And it gets worse. Other implants haven't yet been recalled, yet the rates at which they have to be replaced are showing a familiar pattern -- growing rapidly within just the first few years when your average hip replacement implant should last at least 10 to 15 years, and preferably the entire rest of your life.

So what can you do about this? Here are five steps you should take:

1) Check to see if you have one of the above implants

If you have one of the implants listed above, i.e., the DePuy ASR XL, the Zimmer Durom Cup, or the Stryker Trident, you definitely have one of the recalled implants.

2) Check your symptoms
Do you have any of the familiar symptoms that indicate hip implant failure? These include pain and swelling, instability, grinding noises, slipping of the implant, trouble walking, and many more. If you have any of those symptoms, you should assume that you may have an implant that is causing problems, and those problems are bound to get worse. Don't delay taking action.

3) See your doctor

Whether you have one of the listed implants or you don't know what your implant is and whether it has been involved in a recall (yet), if you have any of the symptoms, you need to see your doctor right away.

4) Keep careful records

You also need to keep careful records of all your symptoms as well as every treatment and doctor's visit. Also be sure to get a copy of your complete medical records and keep them in a safe place.

5) Get legal advice

You also need to get legal advice right away. There's such a thing as statute of limitations. This means that if you miss certain deadlines, no lawyer can help you get compensated for your pain, no matter how obvious or serious your case.