San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 06, 2013
http://www.resource4thepeople.com/defectivemedicaldevices/depuy-knee-sleeve-lawsuits.html
Resource4thePeople announced today that its national network of attorneys is expanding its services to consumers who may have been affected by Food and Drug Administration recalls of DePuy Orthopaedics medical devices.
In addition to offering free consultations to consumers seeking information about the legal options they may have to seek compensation over allegations of injuries from the DePuy Orthopaedics LPS Diaphyseal Knee Sleeve systems Resource4thePeople also will be reviewing similar claims involving DePuy metal-on-metal hip implant systems.
The knee sleeves were the subject of a Class 1 recall* Feb. 15, 2013 by the FDA over life-threatening problems which the FDA said may result in fracture of the sleeve at the taper joint which may also lead to loss of function or loss of limb, infection, compromised soft tissue or death.
The metal-on-metal hip implants were the subject of an August, 2010 recall** in which the FDA said it was reviewing reports that one of the DePuy metal-on-metal hip replacement systems was failing at rates of up to 13 percent in patients who had undergone hip operations.
“The fact that two different medical devices from DePuy have been recalled raises serious questions about the quality and safety of these products and our lawyers will now be offering free consultations to consumers who have allegations of serious injuries or health problems attributed to either product,” said Resource4thePeople.
“Even though the hip devices were recalled over three years ago we are still accepting claims from consumers affected by those problems as well as the more recent cases involving the DePuy knee sleeves.
Class I recalls such as those issued for the DePuy knee sleeve and hip implant systems are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, the FDA said.
Among the DePuy knee sleeve problems being investigated are:
- Infections
- Pain
- Possible loss of limb
- Decreased range of motion
- Lengthening or shortening of leg
- Dislocations
- Subluxation
- Flexion contracture
- Bone fractures
- Shifts in the positioning of the device
- Loosening, bending, cracking, fracture, deformation or wear of one or more of the components
Resource4thePeople also is announcing the success of its new information center for consumers who are interested in allegations involving serious health problems linked to the recalls.
Among the features of the new information center is a link to a toll-free number through which consumers may seek the complimentary consultations being offered by the nationwide network of experienced attorneys familiar with the concerns raised by the FDA.
"There have been a substantial number of inquiries about allegations involving the DePuy knee sleeve in just the few weeks since the center was established," said Resource4thePeople.
Included in the information center are details of the FDA's recall announcement and details of some of the serious health problems that are now being investigated by Resource4thePeople attorneys.
FDA officials, in their “Reason for Recall” about the knee sleeve warned that health complications as drastic as death could occur if the device malfunctions.
“The LPS Diaphyseal Sleeve to Diaphyseal Sleeve Base taper connection may not be sufficient to accommodate potential physiologic loads that may be transferred to the junction during normal gait activities by some patients,” the FDA said in its warning.
“This may result in fracture of the sleeve at the taper joint which may also lead to loss of function or loss of limb, infection, compromised soft tissue or death.”
Resource4thePeople notes that the Class 1 Recall of the DePuy knee sleeves is the most serious type of recall by FDA regulators and patients who may have suffered these dangerous side effects should fully inform themselves about what legal rights they may have to seek compensation in this situation.
The consultations may provide consumers with information about the legal options they may be entitled to in seeking compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, loss of wages and other costs that may have been incurred.
The DePuy Orthopaedics LPS Diaphyseal Knee Sleeve is described by the manufacturer as an end-stage revision knee device that has been used in numerous operations by surgeons who are reconstructing severe soft tissue and bony defects. The diaphyseal sleeve is intended to enhance the fit and fill of the diaphyseal femoral canal with femoral and tibial replacements.
The FDA said in its announcement that the LPS Diaphyseal Sleeve to Diaphyseal Sleeve Base taper connection may not be sufficient to accommodate potential physiologic loads that may be transferred to the junction during normal gait activities by some patients.
DePuy has informed the FDA that the affected devices were manufactured from 2008 to July 20, 2012 and that it has recommended that hospitals and surgeons immediately stop distributing or using the recalled lots.
Resource4thePeople attorneys are investigating the following side effects that DePuy has identified as adverse events in connection with the use of the DePuy knee sleeve with the DePuy Limb Preservation System:***
"Some of the most common adverse events associated with the device include a change in the position of the components, loosening, bending, cracking, fracture, deformation or wear of components, fatigue fractions, infection, tissue reaction to wear debris, pain, dislocation, decreased range of motion and loss of limb."
“Patients and health care professionals place their trust in the integrity of medical devices but on some occasions these devices can malfunction,” said Resource4thePeople.
Sources:
*http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ListofRecalls/ucm340708.htm Feb. 22, 2013
**http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/MetalonMetalHipImplants/ucm241770.htm
***http://www.gsortho.org/files/dpy_lps_limb_preservation_sys_surgtech_0612-36-500r3.pdf