Stryker Side Effect Reports Trigger Lawsuit in Florida

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.