Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Lexington, Kentucky Residents - there has been a 1.4 billion dollar settlement in the Stryker Hip Implant MDL. Please take the time to get fully informed about the Stryker Master Settlement Agreement.

What You Must Know About the Stryker Rejuvenate / ABGII Hip Recall: Stryker Orthopedics initiated a voluntary recall of the Stryker Rejuvenate as well as the ABGII in July, 2012. This Stryker Rejuvenate  and ABGII hip recall was issued due to potential risks associated with the modular neck stems. Stryker stated both models had a higher-than normal risk of failure, along with risks of fretting and corrosion at the neck/stem junction which could lead to the release of excessive amounts of metal ion debris. Stryker’s design for the Rejuvenate and ABGII was considered extremely innovative at the time, as it offered surgeons a variety of components in varying lengths.

These different sized components allowed the surgeon the opportunity to custom-fit the device to the patient’s size and level of activity. Further, Stryker used a ceramic ball rather than a metal ball which differed from other metal on metal hip implants. This change alone was believed to alleviate the dangers of Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis and Stryker Rejuvenate hip metal poisoning, however, these issues were tied to the devices at the time of the Stryker Rejuvenate / ABGII hip recalls. 

How Stryker ABGII Hip Metal Debris May Change Your Life: If you have a Stryker ABGII metal hip implant then during periods of activity the metal components may rub against one another, resulting in Stryker ABGII hip metal debris shearing away from the device and traveling through the body. When those tiny metal ions reach the hip tissues, Stryker ABGII hip metallosis can occur, and when they travel to the bloodstream, Stryker ABGII hip metal blood poisoning may result. Other Stryker ABGII hip dangers include the development of synovitis, pseudo-tumors and ALVAL. Stryker ABGII hip metallosis can cause such symptoms as inflammation, pain in the hip, thigh and groin, deterioration and death of hip tissue and bone, total failure of the hip implant and the necessity for the patient to undergo Stryker ABGII hip revision surgery.

When the metal ions reach the bloodstream, the cobalt and chromium levels can build up in the body, leading to extremely serious symptoms of Stryker ABGII hip metal blood poisoning and Stryker ABGII hip metal blood poisoning. These symptoms can include the following: reproductive disorders, tremors, seizures, nerve damage, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, hypothyroidism, fatal cardiomyopathy, changes in echocardiogram readings, diminishment or loss of hearing and vision, vertigo, chronic headaches, decline in cognitive functions, depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, renal failure, rashes, changes to skin and nails, muscle atrophy, convulsions, changes in DNA, the development of pseudo-tumors and an increase in certain types of cancers.

Synovitis is similar to metallosis but is primarily inflammation centered in the joint lining. Synovitis can occur long before you notice any overt symptoms, then later your joint may appear puffy and may feel warm to the touch due to increased blood flow. The only sure way to identify the presence of synovitis is to undergo an MRI. Pseudo-tumors are usually non-infectious and non-cancerous, however can press on surrounding body structures, creating other serious health issues. Over one-fourth of patients with metal on metal hip implants ended up developing a pseudo-tumor, according to research done in the Netherlands. Pseudo-tumors can result in groin or hip pain, swelling in the upper leg, foot or ankle, clicking or popping noises in the hip area, weakness in the hip region, immobility or a discernible lump in the hip. These pseudo-tumors can grow rapidly, becoming larger than an orange, and causing pain and bone loss. Smaller-boned women with shallower hips are more likely to develop pseudo-tumors.

ALVAL (Aseptic lymphocyte dominated vasculitis associated lesion) is another type of pseudo-tumor which causes tissue necrosis and pain. If your doctor suspects ALVAL, he may perform an aspiration of fluid from the hip area. If the removed fluid is thick and gray-green in color, ALVAL is present. Some research indicates ALVAL results when the metal hip implant device is misaligned, causing undue wear on the device. 

Understanding the Lexington, Kentucky Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Statute of Limitations: It is important that you understand your Lexington, Kentucky Stryker Rejuvenate hip statutes of limitations. The state of Kentucky has one of the shortest statute of limitations for product liability cases, allowing only one year from the date your injury occurs in which to file a civil cause of action. This statute includes the caveat that should injury, death or property damage not occur within a period of eight years from the time of the product’s first use, then there will be a presumption there is no defect in the product. The statute of limitations can be quite complex, and it will be helpful to discuss your case with a skilled Lexington, Kentucky metal on metal hip lawyer.

Do You Need a Lexington, Kentucky Hip Metallosis Lawyer? If you have suffered hip metallosis from a DePuy ASR or DePuy Pinnacle hip implant, a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant, a Biomet M2A Magnum hip implant, a Smith & Nephew R3, a Wright Conserve THS / Profemur hip implant, or a Zimmer Durom hip implant, it could be beneficial to speak to an experienced Lexington, Kentucky hip metallosis attorney.

Latest News on the Lexington, Kentucky Hip Metallosis Lawsuits: More than 4,000 lawsuits were filed against Stryker over the recalled Rejuvenate and ABGII hip devices. Very recently, Stryker reached a settlement for a portion of the cases. All consumers who underwent Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery or Stryker ABGII hip revision surgery prior to November 2, 2014 are eligible to take part in this $1 billion settlement. The base amount for each patient is $300,000, although that amount may be adjusted upward or slightly downward, depending on the level of injury and whether the patient has undergone more than one revision surgery.

More than 5,400 Pinnacle lawsuits have been filed to date, with only one being settled at the end of October, 2014, in favor of the defendant. DePuy and Johnson and Johnson settled approximately 7,000 of the more than 11,000 ASR lawsuits at the end of 2013 for $2.5 billion.