Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Sioux Falls, South Dakota 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.

Were You Affected by the Stryker Rejuvenate / ABGII or DePuy ASR Hip Recalls?

If you are the recipient of a Biomet, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Durom, Wright, Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII or a DePuy Pinnacle or ASR, you may have heard about some of the recent hip device recalls and may be wondering exactly what brands were recalled. The Depuy ASR was recalled in 2010, and the Stryker Rejuvenate and Stryker ABGII were recalled in 2012.

Although metal hip implants were used in over 40% of all hip implant surgeries less than a decade ago, after the many patients who have come forward with injuries related to the metal devices, the use has dropped significantly. The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII were advertised as being the perfect implant for the younger, more active patient; the designs offered a number of different sizes of components, allowing the surgeon to custom-fit the design to the individual patient.

Stryker also claimed the innovative designs would last much longer than other metal-on-metal implants, without the same safety risks. Unfortunately, the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII were recalled in July, 2012. Both the Rejuvenate and the ABGII were recalled, due to higher-than-normal failure rates as well as fretting and corrosion leading to the excess generation of metal ion debris. The DePuy ASR hip recall occurred in August, 2010. The DePuy Pinnacle is NOT recalled, and is still being sold, although without the metal liner which was pulled from the market in 2013.

How Stryker ABGII Hip Metal Debris is Generated

When a patient with a Stryker ABGII metal hip implant engages in activity, the components of the metal hip rub against one another, generating Stryker ABGII hip metal debris. These microscopic ions shear away from the metal hip device, finding their way into surrounding hip tissues or traveling to the bloodstream. The cobalt and chromium ions which enter the bloodstream and are not excreted by the kidneys can cause serious medical conditions. The ions which burrow into surrounding hip tissues can cause many symptoms of Stryker ABGII hip metallosis.

Could You Have Been Exposed to DePuy Pinnacle Hip Chromium & Cobalt Poisoning?

As the metal ions continue to build up in the bloodstream, a patient can accumulate toxic levels of cobalt and chromium. DePuy Pinnacle hip chromium and cobalt poisoning can leave the patient with the following symptoms:

·         Chronic headaches and muscle aches

·         Respiratory illnesses, including asthma

·         Cardiovascular and neurological disorders

·         Renal and thyroid problems

·         Gastrointestinal and reproductive disorders

·         Diminishment of hearing and vision

·         Depression, irritability, anxiety

·         Vertigo

·         Short-term memory loss

·         The development of pseudo-tumors

·         Changes in DNA

·         The development of certain types of cancer

DePuy Pinnacle hip chromium and cobalt poisoning symptoms may lessen once the device is removed during revision surgery, although some of the adverse health effects may last for a long time, despite removal of the device.

Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Metallosis Symptoms

When the tiny cobalt and chromium shards find their way to surrounding hip tissues, Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis symptoms can result. The person with Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis may have chronic pain in the hip, groin and thigh as well as noticeable inflammation in the hip area. The surrounding tissue and the hip bone may undergo deterioration and even death. The hip device may fail completely, and Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery may become mandatory. Both metallosis and metal toxicity or poisoning are extremely serious health issues and can result in loss of mobility.

The Difficulties Associated With Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Revision Surgery

If your surgeon determines you must have Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery, you should be aware that revision surgery, particularly for the Rejuvenate, is considered riskier, is more expensive, and requires a considerable recovery period—as long as six weeks. The Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery can take as long as four to five hours. This can be dangerous for the patient, exposing them to excessive blood loss, nerve damage and infection. The Stryker Rejuvenate stem is longer than most other models and is implanted deeply within the femur. When it must be removed, some surgeons have likened the process to digging a piece of rebar out of set-up cement. In some cases the hip bone may shatter during the surgery, leaving the patient in a wheelchair until a new bone can be built.

The Current Status of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Hip Metallosis Litigation

Following the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall, lawsuits began coming in quickly, and there are currently over 2,300 lawsuits filed against the company. DePuy and Johnson and Johnson have many more—over 11,000 lawsuits filed on behalf of patients with a DePuy ASR, and over 5,000 lawsuits on behalf of patients with a DePuy Pinnacle device. DePuy settled approximately 7,000 ASR lawsuits for $2.5 billion, and many believe Stryker may do somthing similar in defending its claims. Seventeen Stryker lawsuits have been settled through mediation for an undisclosed amount, and others are being set for bellwether trials. If you are considering filing a hip metallosis lawsuit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, it could be beneficial for you to speak to a knowledgeable Sioux Falls, South Dakota hip metallosis attorney.

The Benefits of Speaking to a Sioux Falls, South Dakota Hip Metallosis Lawyer