Do you live in Oregon and were implanted with a Stryker Hip Implant? Perhaps you are one of the thousands of recipients of a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant device—both of which were recalled last July, 2012. After gaining FDA approval in 2008 and 2009, only a few short years’ later reports began coming in to the FDA regarding adverse health symptoms experienced by recipients. At the time of the recall Stryker stated both devices had a higher-than-normal rate of fretting and corrosion which in turn could lead to the release of cobalt and chromium ions into the body. Whether those metal shards find their way into the surrounding hip tissue or manage to enter the bloodstream, negative symptoms can result. Even though these two Stryker recalled hip implants are not “true” metal-on-metal devices in that they implement a ceramic ball and cup, the metal neck juncture as well as the metal trunnions located on either end of the neck portion have been found to corrode, resulting in metal ion shear.
Issues with the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII
When the cobalt and chromium ions enter the tissue surrounding the hip, inflammation occurs. The recipient of the implant will begin to experience chronic hip and groin pain, and, over time, tissue and bone degradation and necrosis will occur. When the hip bone and tissue have deteriorated sufficiently, the implant will fail completely, requiring the patient to undergo risky and expensive revision surgery. Cobalt and chromium in the bloodstream can result in metal toxicity or metal poisoning. Some of the more common symptoms of metal toxicity include: gastrointestinal, renal, thyroid, neurological and cardiovascular issues, dizziness, memory loss, DNA disruption, loss of hearing and vision, the formation of pseudo-tumors and even an inability to distinguish between sweet and salty tastes.
Stryker Product Liability Lawsuits
The first order of business should be to look after your health. As a Stryker Hip Implant Recipient, you should routinely have the necessary blood work, MRI’s, CT scans and x-rays necessary to check for any abnormalities occurring in your implant. You will next need to make the necessary inquiries to determine if, in fact, your hip device was part of the Stryker recall of July, 2012 and then make efforts to obtain your medical records from the surgeon who performed your original surgery. It appears there could be a number of Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate recipients in Oregon, as there are victims of the recalled hip implants across the United States.