June 02, 2014 - If you are the recipient of a Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant, you are probably well-aware of the Stryker hip recall which occurred in July, 2012. The Stryker Rejuvenate and the Stryker ABGII were both recalled due to excessive fretting and corrosion, leading to the shedding of cobalt and chromium debris into the body. These microscopic shards of chromium and cobalt either enter the bloodstream, or find their way into the tissues surrounding the hip. The tiny cobalt and chromium ions which lodge in the hip tissues can result in chronic pain and inflammation in the hip, groin or thigh, can cause the tissue and bone to deteriorate, and the implant to fail completely. The cobalt and chromium ions which enter the bloodstream can lead to any number of serious medical health issues.
When Revision Surgery Becomes Necessary
Revision surgery may become necessary in order to remove the faulty metal hip implant from the body. Unfortunately, not only is revision surgery both complex and risky, some patients are too elderly or not in good enough health to undergo revision surgery. Revision surgery for any metal hip brings its own set of risks; the mortality rate for the first hip implant surgery is about 1%, yet the mortality rate for a revision surgery is over 2.5%. Most orthopedic surgeons consider hip revision surgery to be not only difficult to complete surgically, but risky for the patient. Revision surgeries, particularly for the Stryker Rejuvenate, can take up to five hours to complete.
The Issues with Stryker Revision Surgery
The actual procedure for the Stryker hip revision involves dislocating the hip, then removing the components of the failed Stryker Rejuvenate. Debris is cleared away, then the socket area is cleaned and filled with bone particles. The stem of the Rejuvenate is especially long, and is implanted deeply within the femur, making it very difficult to remove, and requiring special tools to pry it away from the bone. Patients who are on the operating table for this length of time are more prone to infection, nerve damage and blood loss. Further, dislocation can occur following revision surgery, as well as blood clots, a discrepancy in leg length, fracture of the femur, vascular injuries and loosening of the new hip implant.
The Aftermath of Revision Surgery
The hospital stay for revision surgery is generally 4-7 days, however the overall recovery period can be as long as six weeks. More than 55,000 people undergo revision surgery in the United States each year as a result of loose, painful, infected, dislocated or recalled hip implants. Despite the potential complications which accompany revision surgery, patients may have little choice in the matter if they have developed symptoms of chromium and cobalt poisoning or Stryker hip metallosis.
Of course the hope for all revision patients is that the surgery will go well and will correct the ongoing problems and pain associated with the Stryker Rejuvenate, and, in fact, this is the outcome of many revision surgeries. If you are experiencing problems with your Stryker Rejuvenate, see your doctor who can determine whether you should undergo revision surgery. After making that important determination, it could be a good idea to speak with an experienced Stryker hip recall lawyer about your recalled Stryker Rejuvenate.