Q&A

HIP REPLACEMENT CONTROVERSY: I had a hip replaced a few years ago. Should I be concerned about this product recall?

The products covered by the worldwide recall are the ASR Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of Johnson and Johnson.

About 3,500 people have received these artificial hips since the products went on the Irish market in 2004.

This is only a fraction of the total number of hip replacements carried out in public and private hospitals during this period.

Even if you have been fitted with the ASR hip system made by DePuy Orthopaedics, the chances are that you won’t have any problem; data from the UK shows that issues have arisen with only one out of every eight ASR products that were fitted over a five-year period.

How will I know whether I am affected?

Orthopaedic consultants around the country are currently reviewing their records and examining whether any patient received the ASR devices. If your operation took place before 2004, you won’t be affected because the products were not on the Irish market then.

Anyone who has been fitted with an ASR device will be contacted by the hospital in which the procedure was carried out. The HSE says they will then receive “appropriate follow-up”; this may include blood tests, scan and, in a minority of cases, revision surgery.

What if I don’t want to wait to find out whether I might be affected?

If you wish to know whether you received an ASR hip implant, you are advised to contact your orthopaedic surgeon. If you don’t know who performed your hip replacement surgery, ask the hospital at which the procedure was carried out.

How much is this going to cost me?

The manufacturer, DePuy, say they will bear the “reasonable and customary” costs of doctor visits, tests and operations arising from the recall.

I am about to have a hip replacement. Should I be concerned?

No. DePuy says the products have been discontinued and the HSE has ordered all hospitals to remove them from stock.