January 17, 2015 - If you are the recipient of a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII metal hip implant, you are likely well aware of the recall of both models which occurred in July, 2012, after only two and a half years on the market. With more than 20,000 of the recalled models sold, and more than 4,000 lawsuits filed against Stryker, the potential scope of the problem is huge. Patients with a Rejuvenate or ABGII may experience a number of serious medical issues including osteolysis and hip dysplasia.
What is Osteolysis?
The simple definition of osteolysis is destruction and death of bone tissue. When a metal hip device is implanted, osteolysis involves cobalt and chromium particles which shear away from the device. As the body attempts to clean up these particles, an autoimmune reaction is triggered, causing resorption of living bone tissue. Osteolysis can occur within months of the implantation of a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII and is usually progressive, requiring revision surgery.
According to the article “Can Surgeons Win the Fight Against Osteolysis and Implant Wear,” in the next five to ten years orthopedic surgeons can expect to see a jump in the number of patients requiring revision surgery due to osteolysis. Another study notes that early osteolysis in patients with metal hip replacements can possibly be linked to a delayed-type hypersensitivity to heavy metals, although the study also notes there are no accurate tests for metal hypersensitivity and that more research is required.
What is widely agreed-upon by most physicians is that metals which come into contact with biological systems corrode; the released ions can activate the immune system, causing inflammation, pain, tissue and bone deterioration and necrosis and loosening of the implant. “It has not been determined whether the devices failed because the patients had a preexisting metal hypersensitivity or whether the patients became hypersensitive to cobalt and chromium as a result of the failed implants.”
Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate Revision Surgery
When osteolysis and hip dysplasia occur as a result of a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII, it will likely be necessary for the patient to undergo a hip revision surgery, replacing the defective implant with a safer alternative. During this hip revision surgery, a procedure in which the surgeon removes a wedge of bone near a damaged joint—known as an osteotomy—may be necessary. This procedure shifts weight from an area of damaged tissue to an area where healthier cartilage exists. Recipients of a Stryker ABGII or Rejuvenate may have little choice but to undergo revision surgery, and possibly an osteotomy as well.
Those with a recalled Rejuvenate can experience additional health issues during the revision surgery, as the stem of the Rejuvenate is particularly long. In many cases surgeons are required to literally pry the Rejuvenate stem out of the femur, and sometimes this can result in a shattered femur. Other issues common to revision surgery for the Rejuvenate or ABGII include an operation lasting from four to six hours, leaving the patient exposed to infection, nerve damage and excessive blood loss. If you must undergo revision surgery to remove a dangerous, recalled Rejuvenate or ABGII, it could be beneficial to speak to a knowledgeable Stryker hip attorney regarding your options.