January 28, 2016 - Were you one of the thousands of people who were affected by the Stryker hip recall in July 2012? Both the Stryker Rejuvenate and the Stryker ABGII were recalled due to higher-than-normal failure rates as well as excessive levels of fretting and corrosion. Following the Stryker hip recall, more than four thousand lawsuits were filed against Stryker. By November 2014, Stryker decided to offer those patients who had undergone Stryker Rejuvenate revision surgery or Stryker ABGII revision surgery a settlement offer.
Those eligible patients would receive a base award of $300,000, subject to certain enhancements, reductions and caps. Others who had a filed case with Stryker but had not had a revision surgery could still be allowed to be a part of the settlement if they later have a Stryker hip revision surgery. (To determine your eligibility, it is important to speak to a Stryker hip lawyer as soon as possible).
What Went Wrong with the Stryker Rejuvenate?
Following the hip recall, more research was done in order to determine exactly what went wrong with the Stryker hip devices. At the time of the recall, Stryker admitted the corrosion and fretting that could occur in the devices could result in the release of tiny cobalt and chromium ions. These ions could burrow deeply in to the hip tissues, or enter the bloodstream, leading to symptoms of Stryker hip metallosis or Stryker hip blood poisoning. Later, it was found that Stryker hip cross-ionization could also be a factor in the failure of the Rejuvenate.
Dissimilar Metals Result in Cross-Ionization
In particular, using dissimilar metals in the components of the Rejuvenate could have resulted in cross-ionization. The Stryker Rejuvenate has a cobalt and chromium neck component, paired with a titanium stem component. Despite studies which cautioned against using dissimilar metals in hip devices, Stryker believed the proprietary coating they used would allow the device to resist the effects of corrosion. Despite this belief, micro-motion, friction and corrosion resulted at the neck-stem junction of the Rejuvenate any time the recipient of the device engages in any activity, even walking. Since the cobalt and chromium neck component is considerably harder than the titanium stem, cross-ionization is common, dragging out the cobalt and chromium ions, sending them flooding into the body.
Corrosion in the Body Resembles Rust
One study looked at metal hip components which were removed during revision surgery—100 percent of the implants using mismatched metals showed some level of corrosion, some of which resembled rust. Although the metal hip implants do form a film after being implanted in the body, when the film is exposed to the fluids in the body, a reaction occurs, releasing cobalt and chromium ions. The release of these ions can lead to chromium and cobalt blood poisoning or Stryker hip metallosis.
It is not clear why Stryker chose to use dissimilar metals, risking Stryker Rejuvenate cross-ionization, however what is clear is this choice caused many patients to suffer serious harm to their health as a result. If you have more questions regarding Stryker Rejuvenate cross-ionization or other issues associated with a recalled Stryker device, contact a Stryker hip lawyer as soon as possible.