Stryker Hip lawsuits allege that their Rejuvenate and ABG Hip Implants are defectively designed, as side effects include pain, infection, inflammation and tissue damage, among others. Many need to have the device replaced surgically. We are currently working with some of the more experienced hip replacement lawyers, who can file a Stryker Hip lawsuit on your behalf and there is no fee unless you receive a settlement or award. Feel free to call us toll-free anytime at 1-800-992-6878 or submit a contact form online.
Have You Suffered an Injury due to the Stryker Hip Implant?
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Severe injuries like arthritis, bone tumors, or broken hips can make walking difficulty and may even require patients to undergo a total hip replacement. A growing number of people need these types of devices at younger ages and durability is a primary consideration. Manufacturers saw this need and placed all-metal hips on the market. Metal on Metal hip replacement was introduced over the last few decades because of the lower wear rates compared to more conventional hip replacement. And now over 1 million of these devices have been implanted worldwide. Unfortunately, manufacturers did not adequately test these implants and now thousands of patients have been required to undergo corrective surgery.
Stryker has released two metal devices that have failed at high rates. The first device, the Rejuvenate Modular Hip, was approved by the FDA in June 2008 and it was followed by the ABG II which gained approval in November 2009. It has been estimated that 20,000 of these devices were implanted before they were pulled from the market. The Rejuvenate and ABG recall in 2012 was the company’s second hip recall in less than five years. Previously, in January 2008, the company had pulled its Trident Hip System because the “CeramTec” material was not durable.
Complications Associated With Stryker Hip Replacements
A wide range of metal on metal side effects has been linked to these Stryker Implants. In many cases the hard metal joints grind against each other causing the device to corrode while also damaging the surrounding bone and tissue. The grinding also releases metal ions and particles into the body leading to a dangerous build-up of metal in the body, which can cause cell death and other problems. Patients who have suffered any of these complications may want to talk to a hip lawyer about filing a lawsuit. You may have a valid legal claim if you have suffered any of the following side effects.
- Inflammation
- Nerve injuries including sciatica
- Metal poisoning
- Local tissue necrosis
- Deterioration of the bone
- Limited mobility
- Failure of the implant
Stryker Recall of the Rejuvenate and ABG
In April 2012, the company posted an Urgent Field Safety Notice about its Rejuvenate and ABG products. The Notice warned doctors about “Excessive metal debris and/or ion generation” as well as “Fretting and/or corrosion at or about the modular neck junction”. Just months after this Notice, in June 2012, Stryker issued a voluntary recall on the two products. This decision was reached because the “fretting and/or corrosion at or about the modular-neck junction” previously warned about “may result in ALTR (adverse local tissue reactions), as well as possible pain and/or swelling at or around the hip.” Read more recall information. According to the company’s 2012 Annual Report, it estimated “the probable loss to resolve this matter to be in the range of approximately $190 to $390” million.
Medical Study Gives Stryker Hip Negative Reviews
In 2012, the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry revealed that the ABG II has failed at high rates. According to the data, the “ABG II Exchangeable Neck femoral stem has been used in 239 procedures and has a three year cumulative percent revision of 9.9%.” The Annual Report also explored the effectiveness of this device when used in other types of operations and revealed hundreds of revision surgeries among Stryker Hip patients.
About Stryker Hip Replacement Lawsuits
On June 12, 2013, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) consolidated Stryker Hip lawsuits. The Panel named the case In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2441 and transferred it to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Read the Transfer Order here. As of July 2013, this case had a total of 159 legal actions. Since the transfer order was only recently granted, lawyers expect the number of these hip replacement lawsuits to rise in the coming months and years.
An Illinois woman filed a Stryker hip replacement lawsuit in May 2013 after receiving the Rejuvenate for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The device was implanted in May 2011 but removed in September 2012 after she experienced an adverse tissue reaction and inflammation. She now walks with a limp and continues to have back and neck pain. Another lawsuit filed in May seeks $100 million in damages. The Illinois man who filed the suit received an ABG II which caused soft tissue damage and a pseudotumor which have allegedly caused permanent disability.
In June 2013, Marie Pennings filed a hip replacement lawsuit seeking $20 million in damages after her Stryker Hip was removed less than a year after implantation. She alleges that her injuries have decreased her mobility and her quality of life. She also faces metal poisoning dangers. Michael Kent, an Ohio man, also filed a lawsuit in June claiming that the Rejuvenate caused him serious complications and revision surgery caused him to lose part of his femur. After examination doctors discovered that he had suffered muscle atrophy, high metal levels, and significant scar tissue.
Have You Been Injured By a Metal on Metal Hip from Stryker?
If you or a loved one has suffered because of the Rejuvenate Modular or ABG II, then you may want to talk to a personal injury attorney. You may be entitled to damages for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, or other injuries. Our law firm works with experienced Stryker Hip Implant lawyers, who are now filing hip replacement lawsuits. And, there are no attorneys’ fees until you receive a settlement or award. Please call us at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form in confidence.