Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Charlotte, Columbus, Ohio Residents - there has been a 1.4 billion dollar settlement in the Stryker Hip Implant MDL. Please take the time to get fully informed about the Stryker Master Settlement Agreement.

What to Do About Your Stryker ABGII or Stryker Rejuvenate Recalled Hip

Perhaps you are a victim of the Stryker ABGII hip recall which occurred in July, 2012. The Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall occurred at the same time. Stryker marketed the two devices as being the “next generation” and “extremely innovative,” in early 2010. While the majority of hip implant devices are made up of a one-piece neck and stem and a cup, the Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate included multiple neck and stem components, allowing the surgeon to custom-fit the device to the individual patient, based on the patient’s size, and level of activity.

The ABGII and Rejuvenate were marketed to a younger, more active demographic, and because Stryker used a ceramic, rather than a metal ball, it was believed there would not be the issues related to Stryker ABGII hip metallosis and chromium and cobalt poisoning. Unfortunately, the Stryker ABGII hip implant was constructed with a metal-on-metal neck/stem junction which was responsible for releasing metal debris into nearby tissue and into the bloodstream. The company issued an Urgent Field Safety Notification to surgeons and hospitals in April, 2012, prior to the recall in July. This Notification stated the Stryker ABGII hip implant was subject to higher-than-normal failure rates, as well as fretting and corrosion, leading to excessive metal ion debris flooding the body.   

What Causes DePuy ASR Hip Metal Debris?

Those with metal hips may experience the release of cobalt and chromium ion debris anytime they engage in activity, even one as mild as walking. This DePuy ASR hip metal debris can remain in the surrounding hip tissues, leading to DePuy ASR hip metallosis, or can travel to the bloodstream, causing DePuy ASR hip chromium and cobalt poisoning. There are other issues related to DePuy ASR hip metal debris such as synovitis, ALVAL and the development of pseudo-tumors.  Synovitis symptoms are primarily swelling in the joint, and the hip area being warm to the touch due to increased blood flow. If your doctor suspects you have synovitis, or swelling of the joint lining, you may be asked to undergo an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

Another result of DePuy ASR hip metal debris is the development of pseudo-tumors which are generally non-cancerous, non-infectious, space-occupying tumors in the hip area. A Netherlands study found those with all metal hip implants were four times as likely to develop pseudo-tumors. Finally, if you have chronic groin pain, and are unable to perform a straight-leg raise, you may be suffering from ALVAL (aseptic lymphocyte dominated vasculitis associated lesion). Patients with ALVAL may suffer tissue necrosis, and their physician may aspirate fluid from the hip area in order to make a diagnosis. If the fluid is thick and gray-green, ALVAL may be present.

Living With DePuy Pinnacle Hip Metallosis

If you have chronic inflammation as well as serious levels of pain in the hip, thigh and groin area, you may suffer from DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis. Patients with DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis may also experience deterioration and even death of the hip tissues and bone as the disease progresses. The hip implant device may fail completely, requiring DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery.

The Symptoms of Stryker ABGII Chromium and Cobalt Poisoning

Cobalt and chromium ions which find their way to the bloodstream can cause symptoms of Stryker ABGII chromium and cobalt poisoning. There are varying degrees of metal poisoning and metal toxicity, and for reasons not clearly understood, some patients have much more severe reactions to a buildup of cobalt and chromium, even at relatively low levels. Others, can test at very high levels of these heavy metals, yet may not have yet experienced symptoms associated with Stryker ABGII chromium and cobalt poisoning.

In the end, however, there are really no safe levels of these metals, whether you are symptomatic or not. Symptoms of Stryker ABGII chromium and cobalt poisoning include gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, thyroid and cardiovascular disorders, diminishment of hearing and vision, or even loss of hearing and vision, vertigo, short-term memory loss, depression, irritability, reproductive disorders, the development of pseudo-tumors, DNA changes, asthma and other respiratory diseases, and skin rashes.

Columbus, Ohio Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Statute of Limitations

If you have been injured by a metal hip implant, you must be concerned about the Columbus, Ohio Stryker Rejuvenate hip statute of limitations and when that statute will run in your particular case. The statutes can be very complex, and you may need to speak to an experienced Columbus Ohio hip metallosis attorney who can accurately determine this date for you. The Ohio statute of limitations for product liability cases is two years from the date your injury occurred.

However, it may not be clear whether this date is from the time your Rejuvenate was implanted, the date of the recall, the date your surgeon informed you of the recall, or the date you are actually diagnosed with Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis or chromium and cobalt poisoning. Should you miss your window of opportunity, you may be unable to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Columbus, Ohio Hip Metallosis Lawsuits

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of metal hips, including Stryker, DePuy, Biomet, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Durom and Wright Systems. DePuy and Johnson & Johnson faces the largest number of lawsuits for the recalled ASR and the Pinnacle. Out of the approximately 5,400 Pinnacle lawsuits one was settled in favor of the defendant in October, 2014, and the remainder may be set for mediation and trial. The ASR hip implant brought over 11,000 lawsuits, however at the end of 2013 DePuy settled approximately 7,000 of those for $2.5 billion.

The remainder will go to mediation or trial. Stryker is now facing over 4,000 lawsuits, and it is expected that more will be filed as the statute of limitations grows near in many states. On November 3, 2014, Stryker announced a partial settlement, valued at over $1 billion. Under this settlement, Stryker would provide a base amount of $300,000 to all patients with a Rejuvenate or ABGII who underwent Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery by November 3, 2014. This base award would then be adjusted up or down depending on factors such as multiple revision surgeries.