Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Fresno, California 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.

The Stryker ABGII Hip Recall: The Stryker ABGII hip recall, along with the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall occurred in July, 2012. At the time of the recall, Stryker noted the combination of cobalt, titanium and chromium in the neck/stem region of the recalled implants could be responsible for fretting and corrosion which in turn could lead to the excess generation of metal ion debris. Stryker also noted a higher-than-normal rate of failure for the Rejuvenate and the ABGII. The Stryker ABGII recall brought many more issues to light as patients continued reporting their symptoms to the FDA.

While the FDA granted approval for the Rejuvenate and ABGII in 2008 and 2009, the devices were not aggressively marketed until early 2010, meaning they had only been sold for approximately two and a half years prior to the recall. The process by which the two devices were approved has come under intense scrutiny. The 510(k) process allows manufacturers to fast-track medical devices based on their substantial similarity to a product already on the market. Clinical trials are not required and there were few safety reports. Over 20,000 Rejuvenate and ABGII hip devices were sold prior to the Stryker ABGII hip recall.

DePuy ASR Hip Metal Debris: When patients who have been implanted with a metal on metal hip engage in physical activity—even something as simple as walking—the metal components rub against one another, creating friction, and, ultimately, DePuy ASR hip metal debris. The tiny metal shards shear away from the implant, injecting themselves into the surrounding hip tissues or entering the bloodstream. When DePuy ASR hip metal debris enters the bloodstream, the patient can experience symptoms of metal toxicity or chromium and cobalt poisoning. When DePuy ASR hip metal debris burrows into the hip tissues, metallosis can occur.

DePuy Pinnacle Hip Dangers: The DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system gained FDA approval in 2000, giving surgeons a variety of options for the ball and socket surfaces. The primary DePuy Pinnacle hip dangers are associated with the metal ball and socket devices. The Pinnacle also used a metal acetabular cup liner, which has since been discontinued, although the actual DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system has not been recalled. The DePuy Pinnacle hip dangers were documented via adverse event reports by those implanted with the device. Inflammation, pain and difficulty with mobility as well as long-term side effects associated with DePuy Pinnacle hip metal poisoning were noted. More than 1,300 adverse event reports were submitted to the FDA, although DePuy and Johnson and Johnson continue to maintain there are no defects associated with the design of the Pinnacle.

Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Metallosis: Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis can occur when the tiny cobalt and chromium ions inject themselves into the hip tissues. The patient can experience severe and chronic pain in the groin, hip or thigh, as well as significant levels of inflammation. Some patients can experience deterioration of the hip tissues and hip bone, while others can experience total death of the bone and tissue. In some cases, Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis can lead to total failure of the hip implant device, and the necessity for the patient to undergo Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery.

Stryker ABGII Hip Chromium and Cobalt Poisoning: When the cobalt and chromium ions move to the bloodstream, Stryker ABGII hip chromium and cobalt poisoning can occur. The Stryker design for the ABGII and the Rejuvenate was considered extremely innovative at the time of its release. A ceramic ball rather than a metal ball was used in the Stryker ABGII, which was expected to decrease the incidence of Stryker ABGII hip chromium and cobalt poisoning. It was also believed the design would give additional anatomical stability due to titanium stem which conformed to the contours of the femur.

Stryker failed to take into account the neck design which fits into the stem via a Morse taper junction which can create mechanical stress when the body is active. Patients who experience symptoms of Stryker ABGII hip chromium and cobalt poisoning may have one or more of the following: gastrointestinal, renal, thyroid, cardiovascular and neurological disorders, diminishment or loss of hearing and sight, vertigo, loss of short-term memory, irritability, skin rashes, asthma and other respiratory disorders, the development of pseudo-tumors, anxiety, depression and alterations in DNA.

Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Revision Surgery: Patients who must undergo Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery may experience much more serious side effects and recovery time than they did during the original surgery. Even more than other metal on metal hip implants, the Stryker Rejuvenate stem portion is particularly difficult to remove due to its longer length which is implanted more deeply within the femur at the time of the original surgery. Some patients suffer hip fracture or shattering of the femur during Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery. Patients are on the operating table from four to six hours, leaving them open to excessive bleeding, nerve damage and infection.

Fresno, California Stryker ABGII Hip Statute of Limitations: If you have been implanted with a Stryker ABGII, you should be aware of the Fresno, California Stryker ABGII hip statute of limitations. All states have statutes of limitations which vary in length from two years to ten years. Statutes of limitations are the amount of time given consumers to file a product liability case. The state of California operates under a two-year statute of limitations which begins at the time your injury is discovered—or should have been discovered. The Fresno, California Stryker ABGII hip statute of limitations can be fairly complex, therefore speaking to a knowledgeable Fresno, California metal on metal hip lawyer is extremely important in order to properly determine exactly how much time you have to file a hip metallosis lawsuit.

Fresno, California ABGII Metallosis Lawsuits: At this time there are over 5,400 DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits, more than 2,300 Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII lawsuits and more than 11,000 DePuy ASR lawsuits were filed although approximately 7,000 of those were settled in late 2013 for $2.5 billion. During the initial DePuy Pinnacle hearings, U.S. District Court Judge James Kinkeade issued strong warnings to DePuy and Johnson & Johnson regarding the fact that a significant number of hospitals had refused to turn over removed Pinnacle hip devices. This could lead to problems regarding preservation of evidence. The hospitals were issued an ultimatum at that time—turn over the removed implants or risk having to explain to the judge why they did not. One Pinnacle lawsuit was decided in favor of the defendant, DePuy, at the end of October, and the remainder are currently being set for mediation and trials. Stryker settled seventeen of the ABGII and Rejuvenate lawsuits through mediation for an undisclosed amount and the remainder are also being set for mediation and trials. DePuy must also deal with the approximately 4,000 ASR lawsuits still pending.

Fresno, California Hip Metallosis Attorney: Whether you were implanted with a Stryker Rejuvenate or Stryker ABGII, a DePuy Pinnacle or DePuy ASR, a Wright Systems Conserve THS / Profemur, or Zimmer Durom hip implant, it can be potentially beneficial for you to speak to an experienced Fresno, California hip metallosis attorney.