The Stryker Corporation announced a recall of two of its hip implant systems in July of 2012. The company is facing a growing number of lawsuits filed by patients with the recalled device, some of whom have suffered painful tissue death, bone death, and early device failure.
All production and sales of the Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems have been halted due to dangers caused by corrosion and “fretting,” which causes tiny metal shards to be released into the patient’s tissues, bloodstream, and/or bones when the titanium alloy stem wears against the cobalt chromium femoral heads. Cobalt is a toxic material known to cause sickness in many patients.
Metal debris from the recalled Stryker hip implant systems have caused the following complications in patients:
- Debilitating pain
- Metallosis (metal poisoning)
- Necrosis (bone and tissue death)
- Severe allergic reactions
- Osteolysis (bone loss)
- Neurological and heart problems
- Damage to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and kidneys
Many of these complications have required revision surgeries for correction. The lawsuits filed against the company claim that Stryker was negligent in its failure to warn the public of the high failure rate of their products. They also allege that the company made fraudulent claims that the materials used in the neck and stem of the devices were resistant to corrosion and fretting.
We advise patients who have had a hip implant surgery to check their medical records to see if either of these implant systems were used in their surgeries. Then, contact a Tampa product liability lawyer from The Florida Law Group to begin discussing your options for legal action. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
You should not have to suffer because of a dangerous product that you were led to believe was safe. To get started with a free consultation with a Board Certified civil trial lawyer, please call us today at (833) 899-0310.