If you are one of the more than 20,000 patients who received a Stryker Rejuvenate metal hip implant, the Stryker hip recall likely was very distressing news for you. Scarcely a month after the recall, the first lawsuit had already been filed, and as of March, 2014, there are over 600 MCL cases in a New Jersey Court, and nearly 500 MDL cases in a Minnesota court. Some believe that the Stryker litigation could well turn into one of the biggest mass tort cases in the country.
The Stryker Hip Recall
Stryker recalled the Rejuvenate and the ABGII in July, 2012, after it was determined the devices which were expected to last for 15-20 years were failing after only two years, in some patients. Stryker stated a higher-than-normal risk of fretting and corrosion, leading to the release of excessive amounts of cobalt and chromium ions. When these metal shards shear away from the Stryker Rejuvenate, they can lodge in surrounding hip tissues or enter into the bloodstream. Chromium and cobalt poisoning is a risk when the ions enter the bloodstream. Symptoms of chromium and cobalt poisoning include: cardiovascular problems, neurological issues, renal failure, thyroid issues, loss of vision and hearing, vertigo, the development of pseudo-tumors, reproductive disorders, DNA disruption, irritability, anxiety, depression and the loss of short-term memory.
Stryker hip metallosis can occur when the cobalt and chromium ions enter the surrounding hip tissues. The symptoms of metallosis include pain in the groin, thigh and hip areas, inflammation, loosening of the hip implant, total failure of the implant, destruction of bone and tissue and the necessity of a revision surgery. While Stryker has not put a number on the failure rate of the Stryker Rejuvenate, some research places that number above 40%, and others put the number even higher.
You Want Your Rejuvenate Implant Removed, But Your Doctor Disagrees
So, if you have a Stryker Rejuvenate which you have not yet experienced problems with and your physician does not recommend revision, what should you do? It’s important to remember that while a significant portion of Rejuvenate recipients have experienced adverse health issues related to the device, some people are simply not as sensitive to heavy metals as others may be. In some cases, those with relatively low levels of cobalt and chromium in their bodies have suffered very serious metal poisoning symptoms. Other patients with high levels of cobalt and chromium in their bodies have experienced only minor adverse symptoms—or no symptoms at all.
The FDA recommends all those with a recalled Stryker Rejuvenate have their cobalt and chromium levels checked regularly as well as having an x-ray and MRI to determine whether the device is causing symptoms of Stryker hip metallosis. If you feel you should have revision surgery, but your doctor advises that you wait and see, he or she may have good reason to do so, however it may be beneficial to get a second medical opinion from a qualified orthopedic surgeon to determine what is the best course of action based on your individual circumstances. It could additionally be beneficial to speak with an experienced Stryker hip recall lawyer to determine what your options may be for a Stryker hip lawsuit.