FDA Examining DePuy Hip Replacement Devices

Silver Spring, MDAfter the recent Depuy Hip Replacement recalls, the US Food and Drug Administration has decided to take a closer look at all-metal hip replacement implants, The Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the news source, the agency recently unveiled a page on its Web site detailing the hip implants, saying that it is "actively working in several areas to further assess the safety and effectiveness" of the devices.

In August, DePuy issued the recall of an all-metal device called ASR after UK studies indicated that a significant number of people with the implants needed to undergo a repeat procedure after a short period of time, the news source said.

In a release, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons said that it was pleased that the FDA was examining the devices in an in-depth manner.

"We believe that a significant majority of metal-on-metal hip replacement implants have successfully relieved pain and improved function without any problems for the patients who have received them but there have been some concerning exceptions," John Callaghan, president of the academy, said in the release.

According to its Web site, DePuy is part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.