Hip manufacturer Stryker Corporation, in 2012, recalled two of its hip systems because of high failure rates, based on the company’s official site. Withdrawing the devices were the company’s only option after post-marketing surveillance data showed that they can potentially cause severe complications that can lead to hip failure. Following the recall, many patients who were allegedly affected by complications linked to the devices filed a lawsuit against Stryker.
The Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement systems are the hip devices being referred to in the above paragraph. These implants were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 and 2009. Reports say the agency used its largely disputed 510(k) approval process, which allegedly allows poorly tested medical devices to be marketed to the public. Nevertheless, the devices rose in popularity shortly after market release. Their rise in popularity may be due to the manufacturer’s promises to the consumers, which include an increased range of motion, and a long-lasting hip implant. According to Stryker’s website, the hip systems allow orthopedic surgeons to custom-fit patients according to their anatomy. Despite their popularity, however, the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement systems were reportedly causing complications and injuries. Based on the reports received by the agency, many implant patients with the said hip devices had to undergo hip revision surgery. Several of these patients were allegedly inflicted with permanent injuries.
Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip replacement systems like the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants have been linked to metal toxicity and other similar adverse effects. These complications include metallosis, cobalt poisoning, tissue necrosis, and bone loss.
Those who claim to have suffered from Stryker hip complications have pressed charges against the manufacturer of the hip devices, demanding the company to pay for damages. Because of the sheer number of cases pending in courts, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has set up a Stryker multidistrict litigation (MDL) on June 12, 2013.
topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/prescription/4372-stryker-hip-implant-lawsuits-centralized-in-minnesota-mdl/
mnd.uscourts.gov/MDL-Stryker/index.shtmlhttp://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/Orthopaedics/modularneckstems/index.htm
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