When You Have Been Affected By Stryker ABGII / Rejuvenate Hip Dangers: You may be one of the estimated 20,000 people affected by Stryker ABGII hip dangers and Stryker Rejuvenate hip dangers. The Stryker ABGII has a very different design than other metal hip implants, implementing a variety of neck and stem components in varying lengths. This allows the surgeon to custom-fit the device to the individual patient, depending on the patient’s body size and level of activity. The Stryker ABGII and the Stryker Rejuvenate are not “true” metal on metal hip implants due to the use of a ceramic, rather than a metal, ball.

Because of this, along with the different design, Stryker claimed the ABGII and Rejuvenate implants would not cause metallosis and metal poisoning like other metal hips. This turned out to be an untrue claim, as evidence during the Stryker ABGII hip recall. At this time, Stryker noted both devices were subject to fretting and corrosion at the metal neck junction and had a higher-than normal rate of failure. Aside from Stryker ABGII hip metallosis and Stryker ABGII hip metal blood poisoning, the device can be responsible for other Stryker ABGII hip dangers such as ALVAL, synovitis and the development of pseudo-tumors.

Understanding the DePuy ASR Hip Recall: The DePuy ASR hip recall occurred in August, 2010, after numerous complaints were received by the FDA regarding the device. Unlike the Stryker models, the DePuy ASR and the DePuy Pinnacle are true metal on metal hip devices. With over 11,000 lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson (the parent company of DePuy) and Depuy, some 7,000 of those lawsuits were settled in late 2013 for $2.5 billion. The remainder of the ASR lawsuits are pending mediation and trial scheduling, unless another settlement is reached.

Data from a study conducted by the National Joint Registry of England determined a failure rate of 12% for the ASR within five years of implantation, however by the time the first trial rolled around in early 2013, that figure had been adjusted upward to at least 40%. Since there were over 93,000 ASR hip implants sold, it stands to reason that with a failure rate this high there are many more than 11,000 patients who have suffered serious harm or injury associated with the DePuy ASR hip recall.

Do You Have Symptoms of DePuy Pinnacle Hip Metallosis? When the metal components of a metal hip implant rub against one another during periods of activity, tiny cobalt and chromium ions can shear away from the device, landing in the hip tissues and causing symptoms of DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis. Patients with DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis can suffer severe inflammation of the hip device. They may also have chronic, serious pain in the hip, thigh and groin. As the DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis progresses, the patient may experience total hip failure and will be forced to undergo DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery, a potentially risky and expensive surgery. DePuy Pinnacle hip revision surgery—as well as all other hip revisions have a 2.5% mortality rate as compared to a 1% mortality rate for the original hip implant surgery. The surgery is long—from four to six hours—and can leave the patient open to excessive blood loss, infection and nerve damage. 

Symptoms of DePuy ASR Hip Metal Blood Poisoning: The cobalt and chromium ions which land in the bloodstream can be responsible for serious symptoms of DePuy ASR hip metal blood poisoning. These symptoms can range in severity, and even after DePuy ASR hip revision surgery, the symptoms may not disappear entirely. These DePuy ASR hip metal blood poisoning symptoms can include cardiovascular issues such as fatal cardiomyopathy and changes in echocardiogram readings, fatigue, poor concentration, hearing and vision loss, vertigo, chronic headaches, decline of cognitive functions, depression, anxiety, irritability, renal failure thyroid disorders, changes to skin and nails, muscle atrophy, tremors, convulsions and seizures, reproductive disorders, DNA disruption, the development of pseudo-tumors, asthma and other respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. 

How the New Orleans, Louisiana Stryker ABGII Hip Statute of Limitations May Affect You: Across the United States, the product liability statutes of limitations vary in length. Louisiana is on the low end, with a one-year statute of limitations which begins on the date your injury occurred. If you are a Louisiana resident who has been harmed by a recalled Stryker hip implant, the New Orleans, Louisiana Stryker ABGII hip statute of limitations is very important—and very complex. A highly qualified New Orleans, Louisiana hip recall lawyer can evaluate the individual circumstances of your case and determine just how much time you have to file a hip metallosis lawsuit. Stryker very recently settled a portion of the more than 4,000 Rejuvenate and ABGII hip lawsuits.