June 21, 2014 - Were you one of the many recipients of a Stryker Rejuvenate or Stryker ABGII hip implant device, dismayed to hear of the Stryker hip recall in July, 2012? If so, you are not alone. Over 20,000 Americans were implanted with one of the two recalled Stryker implants, and lawsuits began being filed soon after that recall was announced. Perhaps you experienced problems with your Stryker ABGII soon after you received it, or started having trouble later on. You may even be one of the ABGII recipients who have not yet experienced any serious issues with your hip implant device. Either way, some research places the failure rate of the ABGII between 40% and 60%--an extremely high number.
What Health Risks the Stryker ABGII Can Cause
Many recipients of the ABGII have suffered cobalt and chromium poisoning and Stryker hip metallosis. Some people have a higher-than-normal tolerance for heavy metals in the body; the levels of cobalt and chromium can greatly exceed the 5 parts per billion believed to be toxic, yet they can see few overt symptoms of metal toxicity. Others appear to have a higher sensitivity to cobalt and chromium. These people can have relatively low levels of metals in their body, yet experience severe reactions to the cobalt and chromium. When cobalt and chromium ions enter the bloodstream, the following adverse health effects can result:
· Gastrointestinal disorders
· Loss of vision and hearing
· Renal failure
· Thyroid problems
· Neurological issues
· Cardiovascular risks
· Anxiety, depression and irritability
· Disruption of DNA
· The development of pseudo-tumors
· Reproductive disorders
· Vertigo
· Skin disorders
The cobalt and chromium ions in the hip tissues can lead to inflammation, groin, thigh and hip pain, destruction of bone and tissue, failure of the implant and the necessity of revision surgery.
Deciding to Remove Your Stryker ABGII Implant
Even with all the problems associated with your Stryker ABGII implant, removing the implant brings its own set of problems. The removal of a Stryker ABGII hip implant device has a 2.5% mortality rate as compared to the 1% mortality rate of the original implant surgery. The surgery to remove the ABGII can last as long as 4-5 hours; such an extended length of time on the operating table can lead to an increased risk of infection, blood loss and nerve damage. The Stryker ABGII revision surgery can cost as much as $200,000 and can lead to at least six weeks of recovery time, making it difficult for those who work to take the time off.
When the ABGII is removed due to severe metallosis, hip failure or metal toxicity, the neck piece must be removed with a special modular neck extractor. Next, the stem is removed, using a locking arm which engages the taper and pushes the stem from the femur. In some cases the patient’s femur bone will shatter, requiring them to be in a wheelchair until the surgeon can rebuild the bone and replace the implant. Some recipients of the Stryker ABGII cannot get medical clearance from their doctor to undergo revision surgery. This could be related to age or other serious medical conditions, but can require a patient to live with pain, inflammation, hip failure and metal poisoning. If you are considering revision surgery for your Stryker ABGII, after speaking to your physician, it could be beneficial to speak to a knowledgeable Stryker hip recall lawyer who can advise you regarding a Stryker hip lawsuit.