Johnson & Johnson Sinks Further With DePuy Hip Replacement Implants Recall

2009 was definitely not the best year for Johnson & Johnson. The company’s reputation has suffered as product after product was recalled by the health giant, including millions of bottles of Motrin, Benadryl, Tylenol and Zyrtec, millions of contact lenses in Asia and Europe, and most recently, two hip replacement units.

The ASR Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System are made by DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.  The worldwide recall of these two hip replacement units was issued because data provided by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales shows a failure rate of 1 in 8 for the devices, double the industry average.  Results have it that about 12 percent of the patients who received a defective ASR unit should have another hip surgery to correct the mistake.

The DePuy ASR System recall was issued on August 26, a mere week after DePuy was warned about two different orthopedic devices:  the TruMatch Personalized Solutions System and the Corail Hip System.  On August 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a letter to David Floyd, president of DePuy, indicating that both Corail and TruMatch Systems were being marketed illegally.   Specifically, the TruMatch System was not approved or cleared by the FDA to hit the shelves. The Corail System, while it had gained FDA approval for sale, was being promoted for purposes not specifically approved by the FDA. 

Although the warning did not really suggest a recall, it added to the piling product blunders of Johnson & Johnson, who has recalled ten consumer products in the past year.

And the latest recall of the ASR devices is by far the most serious.   The recall for medication and contact lenses is not really a serious matter, all it did was to humiliate Johnson & Johnson in several levels. However, the ASR units are already implanted in patients, making matters much more complex.   A hip replacement surgery is already very painful and needs a lot of time to recover from, just imagine what it would be like to undergo another hip surgery to correct the mistakes of the previous one.

Furthermore, at an average cost of $15-$40,000, a hip replacement isn’t cheap.  While the company has offered to pay for the cost of a revision surgery, it has yet to offer a comprehensive plan on reimbursing patients for pain, suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses.   Because of this, a lot of patients affected by the recall are taking legal action and filing hip replacement lawsuits.

If you have had a hip replacement surgery in the past five years, there is a chance that you received a defective DePuy hip replacement device.  To find out, contact your orthopedic surgeon or the hospital where your hip replacement surgery took place.

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This post was written by admin on November 1, 2010

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Medication Free Prevention Of Headaches And Migraines

Even though there are different kinds of migraines and headaches, the reasons why they occur are fairly common and are generally easy to prevent. If you suffer from them, try out these natural approaches to curing or preventing them.

Firstly, it is worth noting that doctors report that more than 75% of headaches and migraines are a result of dehydration. What this means is that drinking more water throughout the day can be enough to prevent the majority of problems. It is also best to stay away from coffee, soft drinks, and other sources of caffeine, as these cause you to further dehydrate.

The importance of sleep in relieving just about every form of pain and chronic condition can not be overlooked. It is essential for your general peace of mind, and equally significant in the prevention of migraines and headaches. You should get at least 6 hours sleep per night, but ideally a couple more than that too.

Regular activity can help prevent migraines and headaches as it releases mood enhancing chemicals called endorphins and lowers stress levels. Try aerobic exercise in the morning for at least 15 minutes. Keeping it light and easy is ok, as the purpose is just to get your blood, and the oxygen in it, flowing more readily around your body, particularly to your brain.

While particular foods help alleviate headaches and migraines, there are more that cause them. Be particularly aware of foods with a content of sugar, which cause problems for lots of people. Other foods which cause headaches and migraines are those which people are commonly allergic to, such as wheat or dairy products. Try to avoid suspected foods for two weeks to a month and assess whether there is any difference in the amount of headaches and migraines arising.

These suggestions will not cure or prevent all headaches and migraines, but they will have a noticeable, positive effect in most circumstances.

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This post was written by admin on February 16, 2010

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