The Serious Health Problems Related With Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Hip Systems

The two hip replacement system product recall ordered by Stryker in July 2012 was due to the adverse health issues caused by the metal parts included in the hip system device. Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stem systems are the two device being ordered for recall. Stryker Corporation will also cease the production and distribution of the two hip implant systems.

These devices have similar reported side effects in using metal-on-metal degradation, metal poisoning and failed implant of the hip system. Many recall orders for metal-on-metal hip implants are already being implemented.

As reflected on the recall’s information ordered by Stryker, the post-sale evaluation implied that the dismissed devices are possibly apt for metal component deterioration. Specifically, the wearing out of the modular – neck stem can result to implant sore, muscle swelling and other serious complications.

Most hip implant systems have a one-piece design involving the femoral neck and stem. The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II on the other hand are designed with detachable neck and stem metal components made of chromium, cobalt, and titanium alloy.

As these two metal components rub each other every time a person moves, the friction can result to disposing small metal fragments into the body. This is similar with the issue faced by the metal ball-and-socket design. Metallosis can develop if a metal ion is deposited into the body’s soft tissues, veins, or bones of the patient who went through the implant. A study have shown that the chromium and cobalt ions found in the metal debris can injure various internal organs like the kidney, lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Different research indicated the relation of metallosis with neurologicall and cardiac failures.

In other words, metallosis can  lead to the necrosis of the soft tissues around the hip implant. When metal fragments are deposited over a long period of time into the soft body tissue, the larger the damage could get.

Some patient can suffer from several lump growths beneath the skin. These lumps are sacs filled with fluid made by the immune system to prevent the metal ion from poisoning the body.

In the previous years, a stryker hip replacement lawsuit has grown in numbers. Many patients have filed their hip implant product liability complaints in the hopes of financial compensation. It is greatly advised for injured patients to seek immediate legal counsel as soon as the first symptoms of hip implant failure is observed.  

Despite Several Legal Cases, A New Orthopedic Head is Chosen as the Stryker Company’s New CEO

Stryker Corporation has assigned Kevin Lobo as the company’s new unit leader along with the selection of their new executive head. The newly assigned team leader has prompted the medical division of orthopedic devices regarding its current issues with the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant devices. However, some stryker hip replacement lawsuit lawyers are unsure as to what advantage this progress would bring to the case.

In July 2011, Stryker Corporation has officially associated Kevin Lobo as their unit leader who has a very impressive professional background from working in several prominent health care institutions. Lobo used to work in Johnson & Johnson’s as the head officer of finance for the McNeil Consumer Healthcare division in 2003. After three years, he was promoted as the president of Ethicon Endo Surgery which is also a branch of Johnson & Johnson’s.

Reuters said that investing specialists are carefully positive about the assignment of Lobo for the position. An expert of finance for Morgan Stanley has informed the public that the appointment of Lobo may show the plan of the company to focus on the global orthopedics business. For the past two years the sales on the orthopedic industry has remained low. Nonetheless, it is premature to say what effect Mr. Lobo’s appointment would bring to any existing stryker hipreplacement lawsuit.

Stryker is currently challenged with several legal complaints in the U.S. This has mounted since the company’s voluntarily product recall in July for Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular- neck hip stem devices. These artificial hip devices are use for surgical hip replacement operations. Compared to the older hip replacement designs that are mechanically engineered into one artificial hip component, the Stryker Modular design for hip replacement device is made into a two part neck and stems components. These allow the surgeons to adjust the hip device according to the patient’s anatomical set up. The Rejuvenate hip device provides up to six stems and 16 neck adjustments. The ABG II on the other hand can have up to 10 necks and 16 stem parts.

The modular-neck and stem components is used in both metal and ceramic design. However, the metal-on-metal neck and stem hip device are reported to have high device failure rate causing serious side effects to implant patients. The negative feedback are similar to those received from the DePuy ASR hip replacement device. These negative feedback have prompted several disgruntled recipients to file a stryker hip replacement lawsuit.

Cancellation of Stryker Hip Implant Systems

In 2008, a Stryker hip implant recall was conducted in the U.S by Stryker Orthopedics. Another recall was ordered in 2012. Stryker is an orthopedic device manufacturer who develops and distributes several artificial hip systems. Since the initial recall, Stryker is already facing many accusations from patients who were having issues with their Stryker hip replacements.

Patients with Trident, Rejuvenate, and ABG II hip systems surgery claim to experience painful discomforts, unstable movements, skeletal degradation, unfamiliar device sounds, implant dislocation, and device defects. In order to be compensated with the injury, several patients experiencing these adverse results have sued Stryker for their hip implant system.

The FDA gave an approval for Stryker Trident Implant in 2003. This version of hip system is an improved ceramic-on-ceramic design preceding the metal and plastic version. Bad feedbacks and complaints against the attachments of Trident hip replacement began to arrive in 2005.

These complaints initiated FDA to conduct an inspection on the Stryker facilities in Ireland and New Jersey in 2007. The two factories however failed the inspection. FDA evaluated that the company did not utilize the standard manufacturing guidelines in terms of production, storage, and packaging. In addition, Stryker received a poor mark on manufacturing their hip system products. Reports of several health complications and defective devices are also documented by FDA who later issued several warnings for Stryker. Consequently, the company voluntarily ordered a product recall on their Trident Acetabular and Hemispherical Cup System on January 22, 2008. Many Stryker hip implant lawsuits followed after the recall. All Stryker hip replacement lawsuit were later consolidated in Atlantic County in March 2009. Stryker was able to develop new hip replacement designs called as Rejuvenate Modular System and ABGII System. These new designs of hip devices were given an approval by FDA in June 2008. The two-part modular neck and stemming designs that promises a more flexible and stable mechanism. However, negative reviews and health risks were reported a few months after the launching of the new hip implant designs. Metallosis and further complications affecting the soft muscle tissues and bones were the usual complaints.

There are currently more than 60 records of Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implant issues received by the FDA. These reports were given by patients who had the Rejuvenate and ABGII implants. These later made Stryker Orthopedics released another recall order for all Rejuvenate and ABGII modular-neck systems last July 6, 2012.

  

Four Medical Complaints Were Raised Against Stryker Rejuvenate

Another four complaints against the Rejuvenate hip replacement manufactured by Stryker were filed in Nashville, Tennessee. These complaints involve painful sensation and deposition of small metal fragments in the soft body tissues of the patients who have had hip replacement surgery. Stryker hip implant system was recently dismissed in July 2011. The legal counsels of Stryker are expecting a surge of medical claims after the recent product recall.

Complaining patients from Nashville, Tennesse are recounting there experiences with Stryker Rejuvenate. An injured patient from Tennessee went for a Stryker hip implant in 2003 and began to experience pain after the procedure. He claims that discomfort was initially felt and the soreness has worsened as time passed. He decided to discontinue his surgical check-ups few years after the implant and after many x-ray results. He stopped his post-surgery visits to the doctor when he was told that the soreness came from the scar tissue. Currently, his hip pains are worse compared to the time when he didn’t have the hip implant. James is worried that the pain will get more severe.

He learned that several other patients are also experiencing hip and knee complications. James is uncertain if the Stryker hip implant actually does have defects.

Another resident’s case is also hurting from his Stryker hip replacement, three months after he had the implant. He just learned about the withdrawal of Stryker hip implants after he visited his surgeon to ask about the pain he is experiencing. He added that the doctor advised him for MRI and a lab screening for chromium and cobalt level. Gerry is also not happy to have his hip implant removed for a secondary replacement.

Other patients like Suzanne has also been advised for a hip implant change. Her doctor informed her about the alleged risks related to Stryker Orthopedics Rejuvenate Modular Hip System, suggesting that this device can add more danger to her health. Patients could adversely develop metallosis, osteonecrosis of the direct bone femur, tumor, and cheesy necrosis. It is also indicated that Stryker Rejuvenate contain toxic metal. These allegations can be the ground evidence for a Stryker hip lawsuit.

George who had a full hip implant surgery in September 2010, wanted to receive medical compensation from Stryker. This is due to the infection and complications caused by the medical device.

Stryker have not released any confirming announcement regarding the company’s stand on providing medical compensation. The company’s attorneys are attending to the allegations.

     

Popping and Squeaking Sounds of Trident Prompted Patients to File Stryker Hip Lawsuits

A Stryker hip lawsuit claimed that the company was negligent when it failed to warn doctors and the users of their products about the risks of their hip replacement systems. A lawsuit filed on September 5th by Darlene Gray claims that the plaintiff had the Trident hip replacement device implanted on her right hip after going through avascular necrosis for years. Nevertheless, the prosthetic hip didn’t live up to its expectations. Instead of failing 10 to 15 years after its insertion, it would last only around five years. Thus, Gray was forced to have revision surgery to correct the problems she was due to the implanted.

In 2008, Stryker issued a voluntary recall of the Trident Acetabular System after hundreds of complaints reached the company as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Aside from patients complaining of pain in their hip, there have been reports of popping and squeaking sounds. More serious complications have also been experienced, like bone fractures, early implant failure, and severe pain. The sounds are not only embarrassing when the person is out and about, but it is an indicative of other complications linked to the product.

Many patients whose health were thoroughly affected have decided to move forward with a Stryker hip lawsuit. Darlene Gray, who was mentioned earlier, is seeking to be recompensed for the damages that she experienced along with the pain. She also wants to be compensated for the medical expenses she needed to shell out for treatment.

More recently, Stryker has become the object of another controversy when it pulled out another one of its products from the market – the Rejuvenate hip replacement system. The Rejuvenate, although ceramic, has components made of titanium and cobalt. When these two parts rub against each other, the friction causes metallic debris to attach onto tissues located within the implant, triggering tissue necrosis. Patients who have the Rejuvenate have alleged various complications such as corrosion, bone fractures, and metallosis.

Some Stryker hip lawsuits related to the Trident hip systems have been merged under one judge in the New Jersey Superior Court of Atlantic County. This was done to speed up the procedure and to help those who have been harmed reach Stryker hip settlements.