Many Stryker corrosion lawyers have been working exhaustively since the recall of the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implants in July of 2012. The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII were initially believed to be the “shining stars” of metal hip implants. This was due to an innovative design which allowed surgeons to more precisely fit the implant to body type and activity level. Despite the high hopes for the new hip implant design, Stryker corrosion attorneys note that adverse reports began coming in to the FDA not long after the approval of the devices in 2008 and 2009. Stryker corrosion lawyers have seen injuries to recipients of these recalled hip implants which range from minor to life-threatening.
When Stryker recalled the Rejuvenate and ABGII, they stated as the reason for the recall the threat of fretting and corrosion which could cause metal debris to shear away from the implant, lodging in surrounding tissues or entering the bloodstream. Stryker corrosion lawyers also note that Stryker admitted to a higher-than-normal rate of failure among these two implant models. While Stryker declined to state an exact failure rate, independent studies have judged the failure rate to be as high as 40%. What this means to the thousands of recipients of the recalled hip implants is that whether they have yet suffered harm from the Stryker devices, there is a good chance they may in the future. Stryker corrosion lawyers have spoken to many patients who believed they were receiving a safe hip implant and were understandably dismayed to find the implants were decidedly unsafe.
Stryker corrosion lawyers have spent long hours researching the design of the Rejuvenate and the ABGII in order to determine exactly what went wrong—and what adverse health effects patients are likely to develop. When the microscopic metal ions burrow into the hip tissue, the patient may suffer chronic pain, inflammation which continues to increase and potential infection. As time goes on, this inflammation can cause the tissue and bone to begin to deteriorate, and eventually the tissue can suffer irreversible death and the bone can disintegrate. Patients who were forced to undergo revision surgery due to a defective Stryker hip implant have relayed stories to Stryker corrosion lawyers of their femur bone shattering during revision surgery because of such severe inflammation.
The stem of the Rejuvenate and ABGII are inserted much more deeply into the femur bone, and some surgeons have likened removing that stem to trying to remove rebar from hardened cement. Stryker corrosion lawyers are also familiar with the symptoms of metal poisoning which occur when the cobalt and chromium ions enter the bloodstream. Neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal and thyroid issues can result from metal toxicity as well as loss of vision and hearing, DNA disruption, the formation of pseudo-tumors, memory loss, depression, anxiety and irritability. In the end, an experienced Stryker corrosion attorney can help those who have been harmed by a defective hip implant. A knowledgeable Stryker corrosion lawyer will fight hard to ensure the injured patient receives just compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering. Those who are victims of the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII could benefit from speaking to a Stryker corrosion attorney and exploring their options.