September 13, 2016 - Perhaps you are among the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant recipients who have suffered no ill effects from your device at this point. While this may seem like a blessing, you may be under a considerable amount of stress, wondering what you should do in order to safeguard your future. The current Stryker hip settlement covers only those plaintiffs who have undergone revision surgery as a result of Stryker ABGII hip metallosis or Stryker Rejuvenate metallosis. Others who had not undergone revision surgery but were a part of the lawsuits filed against Stryker at the time of the settlement, have been given a sort of “grace” period, even though they were not included in the settlement.
Stryker agreed to suspend the statutes of limitations, meaning those people with a filed case against Stryker could still qualify under the Stryker settlement agreement. While this is a positive aspect for those who have not undergone revision surgery, you may be a Stryker patient who, because you have suffered no problems associated with your Stryker device, have not filed a case against Stryker. This puts you in a much more difficult position.
Side Effects Resulting from Recalled Stryker Devices with No Symptoms
Some patients with a recalled Stryker implant can experience tissue necrosis without overt symptoms. In fact, a significant number of asymptomatic patients have shown significant levels of tissue death when tests were performed. Further, having your doctor look at your x-rays could simply not be sufficient for an asymptomatic patient. So, you ask yourself whether you will be missing out entirely on the Stryker hip settlement and what you should be doing about it now.
What are the Chances Your Stryker Device Will Fail?
Unfortunately, the failure rates for the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII appear to be unreasonably high. Stryker would only admit the failure rates for the two devices were “higher than normal,” however independent studies have placed the failure rate as high as 40 percent, possibly even higher. What do these numbers mean for your future? Of course you are grateful you are not in pain and have no apparent symptoms of metallosis or heavy metal poisoning, but what if those symptoms come on in the future? Who will pay your medical bills or pay for the time you are forced to be off work? Your dilemma is not an easy one, and, not all doctors will be proactive in guarding your health, despite the fact you have a recalled Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip device implanted in your body.
Are Cobalt and Chromium Ions Building Up in Your Body?
The bottom line is that even if you are feeling fine right now, you could be experiencing a buildup of cobalt and chromium in your bloodstream which can lead to such issues as: loss of hearing and vision, gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular and renal disorders, reproductive disorders, the development of pseudotumors and certain types of cancer, alterations in your DNA, chronic headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, skin disorders, vertigo and even tremors or convulsions.
You could be developing tissue necrosis or osteolysis, yet have no symptoms. While your decisions regarding your Stryker device are certainly stressful, it can be beneficial to speak to your physician and have additional medical tests done, as well as to speak to an experienced Stryker hip attorney who can more fully answer your questions. Read more about this subject in Part Two.