More information on Medical Negligence:

Metal-on-metal hip replacement devices manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, were recalled by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in August 2010. These devices have been in clinical use in the UK since July 2003. Recalled products include the 'ASR XL Acetabular System', which is a total hip replacement and the 'ASR Hip Resurfacing System', which is used to preserve more of the hip joint. These implants account for around 10,000 of the metal on metal hips fitted in the UK since 2003.

Two years ago healthcare conglomerate, Johnson & Johnson had to recall its metal-on-metal (MoM) ASR hip replacement devices. An estimated 37,000 patients in the US were fitted with the ASR implant and it cost the company $3 billion compensation bill to settle the resulting 3,000 lawsuits against them. According to a report by Reuters, this was the most expensive medical device failure in American history.

On 25 June 2012 the MHRA issued an alert (MDA/2012/036) updating their advice to all patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacements. The alert came after it was announced that British company Smith & Nephew was voluntarily recalling a component of one of its metal-on-metal artificial hip systems.