The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implant devices are constructed using a titanium stem coated with a proprietary blend of titanium, molybdenum, zirconium and iron. Those alloys are mixed with a plasma spray which Stryker claimed would cure the issues associated with mixing cobalt and chromium with titanium. This coating was believed to resist fretting and corrosion, however research indicates fretting and corrosion continued to occur despite the coating. Once corrosion occurs, metal ions are released into the body.
When those metal ions enter the bloodstream, such symptoms as disruption of DNA, the formation of pseudo-tumors, vision and hearing disturbances, vertigo, depression, anxiety, irritability, chronic headaches and serious issues with the cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, renal and thyroid can occur. In other all metal hip implants, the measured levels of cobalt and chromium run pretty much the same, while recipients of the Rejuvenate and ABGII show higher levels of cobalt. It is believed this may be due to the coating on the Stryker hip implants.
When the metal ions enter the hip tissues, inflammation is likely to occur. When that inflammation becomes significant, the recipient of the Stryker hip implant may experience chronic pain in the hip and groin area. The tissues and bones begin to deteriorate, and, eventually can experience total necrosis. When this occurs the Stryker implant will fail, and the patient will be required to undergo revision surgery to replace the defective ABGII or Rejuvenate.
Recall of the Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate
The Stryker company recalled the Rejuvenate and ABGII in July of 2012 after a significant number of recipients experienced adverse health issues following their implantation. Fretting and corrosion leading to the release of metal ion debris and hip failure were cited as the reason behind the recall. With over 20,000 of the recalled devices sold in the United States and high failure rates, it is likely that a large percentage of those recipients who have not yet experienced problems with their Stryker implant may at some point in the future.
Stryker Lawsuits
There are a variety of reasons the Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate may have failed. The variety of components which allow surgeons to better fit the implant to the patient may have caused additional problems from the metal junctures between the components which are subject to corrosion. The TMZF coating which is sprayed on the stem and the HA coating on the neck could also be responsible for some of the problems; studies have shown that mixing alloys can be responsible for a higher risk of corrosion and fretting.
In any case the innovative design touted by Stryker to overcome the issues related to metal-on-metal hip implants simply did not work out as expected. Over 160 lawsuits have already been filed against Stryker and before the two-year statute of limitations runs, it is expected that many more will follow. Recipients of the Stryker ABGII or Rejuvenate must visit their physician in order to ensure their health is protected. Blood tests to determine the levels of cobalt and chromium as well as MRIs, CT scans, x-rays and bone scans are necessary tools for ensuring your health has not been damaged by a recalled Stryker hip implant.