The Anapol Schwartz national law firm is now investigating the Class I recall of the Limb Preservation System (LPS) Lower Extremity Dovetail Intercalary Component issued by DePuy Orthopaedics on July 11, 2013. Patients who have suffered a LPS failure are encouraged to contact the firm immediately.
When an LPS device fractures, a patient could be left with no other choice but to have the affected leg amputated when there isn’t enough bone left for a revision surgery. In addition to the danger of losing a limb, fracture of the device’s female component can result in excruciating pain, infection, dislocation, loss of leg function or neurovascular injury. Patients weighing more than 200 pounds and highly active patients are at higher risk of LPS fracture.*
The LPS Lower Extremity Dovetail Intercalary component is intended to replace the top tibia, total femur, or the top, bottom or mid-shaft portion of the femur. These implants are commonly used in cases that require extensive resection such as tumors, trauma or infection.*
“DePuy issued yet another Class I orthopedic recall. A failed Limb Preservation System potentially exposes patients to catastrophic injuries including amputation,” medical device lawyer Thomas Anapol said. Anapol is a leader in numerous national medical device litigations, including the DePuy metal-on-metal hip replacement failure lawsuits.
Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall because they involve a probability of causing death or serious adverse health problems. DePuy issued this type of recall of the LPS and urged distributors, hospitals and surgeons to immediately stop using 32 recalled lots. The total number of implants produced or implanted is unknown.
*fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ListofRecalls/ucm363452.htm
