A retired gymnast, who promoted the DePuy ASR Hip Replacement System prior to the product´s worldwide recall last year, is making a personal injury compensation claim against the product´s manufacturers Johnson & Johnson following difficulties with her own DePuy hip replacement system.
Penny Brown (51) of Bath, Wiltshire, had a hip replacement procdure in 2004 to relieve her from the constant pain of osteoarthritis. At the time of the procedure, the DePuy ASR hip replacement system transformed her life to such a degree that she agreed to become the “face” of DePuy and promote their hip replacement systems throughout the UK.
Between 2004 and 2008, Penny was DePuy´s “patient brand” and her image was used throughout the world. Penny also gave interviews about the advantages of the DePuy ASR hip replacement system and counselled patients about to have implant surgery. However, in 2009, Penny started to notice a groin pain which was diagnosed as being caused by the hip replacement system and, as the wear and tear increased, felt a clunking sensation whenever she walked anywhere.
In May this year, Penny was advised that she would need further surgery which would mean the removal of the DePuy ASR hip replacement system and a replacement system installed. She underwent her additional operation last month, and has been bed-bound and unable to work ever since. “My life has been devastated” Penny told her local newspaper, “I not only feel let down personally but also feel guilty that I might have encouraged others to have the ASR implanted.”