January 21, 2016 - Metal Hip Pseudotumors - While the primary issues most people have heard about regarding the recalled Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate hip implants are metallosis and metal toxicity, Stryker hip pseudotumors are also a fairly common occurrence among those with a metal hip implant. The Rejuvenate and ABGII were recalled in the summer of 2012 after higher-than-normal Stryker hip failure rates were observed among patients and the Stryker hip durability was questioned. Pseudotumors appear to occur more often among patients who are especially sensitive to heavy metals, such as the cobalt and chromium used in the Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate.
What are Pseudotumors?
Pseudotumors mimic the effects of an infection, however the majority of pseudotumors are not infectious, nor are they cancerous. Pseudotumors can be any size from the size of a ping-pong ball, to larger than an orange. These tumors can be semi-liquid or more solid, and appear around the hip implant. Research in the Netherlands concluded patients with metal hip implants had four times the risk of developing a pseudotumor when they also had elevated levels of cobalt and chromium.
In fact, almost a third of those with metal hip implants in this particular study did develop a pseudotumor. Many patients are unaware of the presence of the pseudotumor until it has grown quite large, although some patients will experience swelling in the upper leg, swelling in the foot and ankle, hip, groin or thigh pain, weakness or immobility in the hip region, noises that sound like popping or clicking when walking, or an obvious lump in the hip.
Factors Which Increase the Risk of Pseudotumors
Pseudotumors must be removed as they can place pressure on surrounding body parts. A metal hip implant which is not perfectly positioned may be more likely to create the best environment for the growth of a pseudotumor. Women with smaller bones and shallower hips tend to experience pseudotumor growth more often. Until overt symptoms are present, the only way of determining whether a pseudotumor exists is through multi-slice CT scans, used in conjunction with X-rays and blood tests. In order to ensure there is no infection associated with the pseudotumor, your physician may aspirate the hip joint.
Stryker Settlement Agreement
Pseudotumors can be responsible for the patient requiring a Stryker Rejuvenate revision surgery or a Stryker ABGII revision surgery. If you are one of the many patients who developed Stryker hip pseudotumors and subsequently required Stryker hip revision surgery, you may already be a part of the Stryker hip settlement. Under the settlement Stryker proposed in November 2014, patients were entitled to a base award of $300,000, subject to certain enhancements, caps and deductions.
If you had a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII case on file, but have not yet undergone revision surgery, you may still be able to take part in the settlement if you have revision surgery down the line. The judge in the case ruled the Stryker statutes of limitations would be suspended for those who had a Stryker case on file but had not undergone revision surgery. It is important to speak to a knowledgeable Stryker hip lawyer to determine your options.