Across the globe, some 10% of men and 18% of women over the age of sixty suffer from moderate to severe forms of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage deteriorates, causing injury to the joint and resulting in stiffness, pain and loss of movement as bone rubs against bone.  Aside from age, the most common predictors of osteoarthritis appear to be obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, excess alcohol consumption and injury. Rheumatoid arthritis, in which the joint lining becomes inflamed, is responsible for some hip replacement surgeries as well.

Unlike its all-metal counterparts, the Stryker Rejuvenate has a much smaller metal surface area which can corrode and lead to metal ions being released into the body, however the eventual harmful effects of the Rejuvenate can be just as serious.

Many doctors as well as patients believed the Stryker Rejuvenate was a much safer alternative to the all-metal hip implants such as the DePuy Pinnacle or ASR. Metal-on-metal hip implants consist of a metal ball and acetabular cup.

The Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant was voluntarily recalled this past July following adverse reports and concerns with fretting and corrosion. Stryker had notified hospitals and physicians of the potential risks of the Rejuvenate in April.

Many recipients of the Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant have been dismayed to find they may have the same sort of serious health issues as recipients of metal-on-metal implants. The Rejuvenate was recalled in July of 2012 with Stryker stating there was the risk of fretting and corrosion at the neck juncture.