Do you find yourself worrying constantly about the recalled Stryker ABGII hip device currently implanted in your body? Since the Stryker hip recall in July, 2012, many people just like you are uncertain whether they should have their Stryker ABGII removed, due to the threat of Stryker hip metallosis as well as chromium and cobalt poisoning, or have the device removed and face the dangers associated with revision surgery. You, along with all of the people harmed by the Stryker hip recall must now make difficult decisions and determine how best to move forward after having a device they believed to be safe implanted into their body.
Stryker Safety Notification and the Failure Rate of the Stryker ABGII
Stryker sent out an Urgent Field Safety Notice to physicians and hospitals in April, 2012, stating the ABGII and Rejuvenate both had a higher-than-normal rate of fretting and corrosion, leading to the release of cobalt and chromium ions into the body. These metal ions could lodge in the hip tissues and cause chronic and severe pain, degradation of hip tissues and bone, inflammation, and hip implant failure, leading to the necessity of revision surgery. Stryker has declined to put a firm number on the actual failure rate of the ABGII, however some studies have put that number anywhere from 40-60%. This number is likely very dismaying if you have an ABGII implant in your body.
What If I Have Not Experienced Adverse Effects From My Stryker ABGII?
If you have not yet experienced serious side effects, including metallosis and metal poisoning, then you may be unwilling to face a revision surgery until you have no other choice. On the other hand, having the hip implant inside your body, and knowing that you have a very high risk of developing cobalt and chromium toxicity or poisoning and metallosis can lead you to believe you should have the device removed, even if you have experienced no adverse issues. While any type of revision surgery is considered risky, removing a Stryker ABGII can be even more complex. Although the stem of the ABGII is not implanted quite as deeply as that of the Rejuvenate, it can nonetheless be difficult to remove.
Issues Associated With Stryker ABGII Revision Surgery
Revision surgery can last as long as five hours, leaving the patient exposed to a higher rate of infection, bleeding and nerve damage. The recovery time for an ABGII revision surgery is a minimum of six week, and the surgery can cost as much as $200,000. These two issues in and of themselves can make Stryker ABGII revision surgery unobtainable. If you have suffered any level of pain, difficulty walking, inflammation or any symptoms of cobalt and chromium toxicity, you should be evaluated by a physician who can take x-rays, blood work to determine levels of cobalt and chromium, and an MRI to determine levels of tissue and bone necrosis.
The results of these tests may end up making your decision for you, if your cobalt and chromium levels are high, or the x-rays or MRI show your implant is failing or bone and tissue has degraded. After you have discussed your options with your doctor, you can determine whether to leave your Stryker ABGII implant in your body or undergo revision surgery. You may have questions regarding a Stryker hip lawsuit which can be answered by an experienced Stryker hip recall lawyer.