Women are more likely than men to develop conditions that affect the bones, including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.  In addition, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, women are more likely to be affected by the recent DePuy hip replacement recall. 

In August, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled two hip replacement devices: the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System.  Data indicates that both devices fail within five years of implantation in 1 out of 8 patients. 

On October 21, The San Francisco Chronicle published a press release that states female ASR recipients, due to their smaller stature, are more prone to hip revision surgery than men.  A revision surgery is a second hip replacement surgery. 

Not only are women more at risk than men for ASR revision surgery, but they also develop osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, two conditions that could lead to a hip replacement, with greater frequency.  Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting joints such as the hands, knees, and hips.  The condition leads to the deterioration of your body’s cartilage, resulting in inflammation, stiffness, and pain.  Patients with osteoporosis suffer from weakened bones caused by a loss of calcium.  The condition can result in brittle bones that break easily.  Both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis occur more frequently in women because women lose estrogen when they go through menopause, among other reasons.

Female hip recipients are urged to contact their orthopedic surgeon or the hospital where their procedure was done to determine if their implant is an ASR model.  If it is, it’s recommended to speak with a hip replacement lawyer about available legal options.