Stryker's Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement systems were supposedly designed to last for more than a decade. However, shortly after its release, reports of problems with the hip devices started to arise. As a result, the company issued a voluntary product recall of its modular hip devices on July 06, 2012. Unfortunately, months before the recall was issued, many implant patients were reportedly injured by the faulty hip devices.
Consequently, one of the implant patients (who received a faulty hip device before the recall) filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer. The plaintiff, Cheryl Riley, filed the lawsuit on December 06, 2012 in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida. According to her, the recall came too late. She suffered from serious complications that resulted in several hip revision surgeries. Her implant was removed.
Stryker's Recall Came Too Late, Injuring Plaintiff and Several Others
Stryker Orthopedics issued the voluntary recall after acknowledging that the modular necks on the hip replacement systems are prone to corrosion, which may cause damage to the surrounding bone and tissue. As a result, hip failure may occur.
According to Riley, Stryker Orthopedics did not warn consumers in time regarding the design defect. She accused the company of negligence, failure to set up good marketing practices, fraudulent deceit, and breach of warranty. Riley and several other implant patients suffered severe complications associated with the hip devices.
The metal components of the Stryker rejuvenate modular hip device have been a lingering issue for the company. Because they scrape against each other, metal fragments are released in the blood of patients. Accumulation of these metal shards may lead to metallosis, a medical condition that may cause tissue necrosis, pseudo-tumors, and bone loss.
Stryker Hip Complications Suffered Before Stryker Lawsuit Was Filed
Riley stated that she had her hip replacement surgery in November 2011. She was implanted with the Stryker Rejuvenate modular hip replacement device. According to her, she started experiencing complications after the neck stem of her hip device suddenly deteriorated. She suffered excruciating pain that led to several revision surgeries. In the end, the faulty hip device was removed.
After all the suffering she went through, Riley filed a Stryker hip lawsuit. She sought compensatory damages for all the distress and pains she suffered. According to personal injury lawyers, patients who are injured by faulty medical devices may approach their lawyers for assistance. Their websites, including the Rottenstein Law Group's rotlaw.com, contain various information regarding lawsuits against Stryker and other metal-metal hip manufacturers.
Based on the United States Food and Drug Administration web page, Stryker Orthopedics has recalled two of its hip replacement systems due to their problematic neck stems. According to several reports, implant patients have suffered from pain, tissue inflammation, and other complications. Moreover, the company's Trident hip replacement system has also been linked to several complications.
The Rejuvenate And ABG II Hip Replacement Systems
Stryker Orthopaedics, a manufacturer of orthopedic equipments based in Michigan, recently stated it has discontinued world-wide distribution of the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip systems. The company also stated that patients who experience complications should seek their physicians for check up. According to a statement released by the Managing director of hip reconstruction and also the Vice President of Stryker Orthopaedics, Stuart Simpson, “While modular-neck stems provide surgeons with an option to correct certain aspects of a patient’s anatomy and hip biomechanics, given the potential risks associated with fretting and corrosion at the modular neck junction, Stryker Orthopaedics decided to take this voluntary action.”
According to Simpson, the company intends to cooperate with the medical community to further analyze the problems of the hip implants. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that it has received over 40 complaints concerning the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants since early 2012. Also, several patients have already filed stryker hip replacement lawsuits.
Interestingly, lawsuits against metal on metal hip systems, such as the Stryker hip replacement systems, are piling up fast. According to a personal injury law firm website, the Rottenstein Law Group's rotlaw.com, “Metal-on-metal hip implants have been the subject of regulators’ concerns recently. In fact, in June 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration convened a special meeting that involved enlisting an 18-member panel to recommend guidelines for monitoring the more than half a million U.S. patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements.” Moreover, information on lawsuits against the manufacturer of the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip systems can be found on this website.
The Stryker Trident Hip Replacement System
The Trident hip replacement device, Stryker's ceramic hip system, is also facing multiple lawsuits. The plaintiffs claimed that the company failed to properly inform patients regarding the risks involved in using the hip device. Apparently, according to reports, the implant patients suffered difficulties in walking, avascular necrosis, and other complications. Stryker issued a recall of two Trident hip components in January 2007.
Unfortunately, according to the Rottenstein Law Group, “After the recall, Stryker faced a number of lawsuits, many of which were consolidated into a class action. The plaintiffs were not able to get any compensation from Stryker, however. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that, according to a recent Supreme Court ruling, any medical devices approved by the FDA, but not fast-tracked through the 501(k) approval process – which requires no premarket testing – are exempt from product liability lawsuits.”
Stryker's Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement systems were supposedly designed to last for more than a decade. However, shortly after its release, reports of problems with the hip devices started to arise. As a result, the company issued a voluntary product recall of its modular hip devices on July 06, 2012. Unfortunately, months before the recall was issued, many implant patients were reportedly injured by the faulty hip devices. 