Stryker Hip Component Recalled Over Corrosion Issues
Stryker Hip Implants
Patients who were implanted with a Stryker hip replacement implicated by a recent recall may have legal recourse to seek compensation for damages. In July 2012, the company announced that it would be voluntarily recalling two metal hip implant components, known as neck stems, found in its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants – devices which are reportedly causing the same injuries as other hip implants targeted by pending metal-on-metal hip implant litigation. The recall was issued because the devices could corrode, damaging body tissue and leading to swelling or pain in the hip area. At least 45 patients have submitted adverse event reports claiming that their implants caused pain and/or tissue swelling.
If you or a loved one were implanted with one of these Stryker hip implants, you may be able to file a claim against Stryker to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. To find out if you are eligible, fill out our free case review form with details of your complications– even if you are unsure as to which hip implant you received. A number of metal-on-metal hip implants have recently come under scrutiny due to an alleged design defect.
Metal-on-Metal Components: What's the Risk?
Reports are surfacing that these Stryker hip implants pose the same risk to patients as the recalled DePuy ASR hips, despite a design difference. The DePuy ASR and other allegedly troublesome metal-on-metal hips are composed of a metal ball and a metal socket. The Stryker products implicated in the recall instead use a metal neck and metal stem which, like the components of a true metal-on-metal device, may be rubbing against each other, causing metallic debris to be shed into the patient's body. This friction, combined with the corrosion of the metal neck stem, may be associated with the development of metal poisoning within the patient. It has been reported that the release of metallic debris can cause a severe inflammatory response in the patient, resulting in muscle and soft tissue damage. Furthermore, some patients who were implanted with metal-on-metal hips are developing high levels of cobalt, which can lead to a host of health problems, including hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, blindness, deafness and peripheral neuropathy.
FDA Convenes Panel on Metal Hips, Lawsuits Continue to be Filed
In light of growing controversy surrounding metal-on-metal hip implants, the FDA convened an advisory panel to make recommendations about whether the devices need additional warnings and to suggest which patients would benefit the most from the devices, as well as those who should not receive these types of implants. While the outcome of this meeting has yet to be released, the number of lawsuits filed against metal-on-metal hip implants continues to rise. With the recent recall, it is likely that Stryker will be facing more suits claiming that its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants caused injuries, some of which required revision surgery.
If you or a loved one was implanted with a metal-on-metal hip implant, learn more about your potential legal rights by contacting us today. There is no cost or obligation.