What Patients Need To Know About The Stryker Hip Device Recall

There are many factors a patient must consider before undergoing hip replacement surgery. You should understand the risks, know how long your recovery will take, and what you should do if there are any complications. However, one thing patients should not have to worry about is suffering through a second surgery after their first hip device causes dangerous side effects—but for those who received Stryker hip implants, this was exactly what happened.

Stryker Recalls Hip Implant Devices Due to High Failure Rates

In 2012, Stryker Orthopaedics announced a voluntarily recall of its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck stem hip replacement devices. The recall was initiated after reports of the metal implant's early failure and adverse tissue reactions, causing suffering and revision surgeries for thousands of patients.

Stryker hip implants have been known to cause one or more of the following:

• Fretting. The modular-neck hip stems of the devices had a tendency to chip, allowing metal fragments and debris to cut into surrounding bones and tissues.
• Corrosion. Stryker’s recalled devices contain cobalt and chromium, which may corrode inside the body and release metal ions that lead to irritation, inflammation, and tissue death (necrosis).
• Metal toxicity. High levels of cobalt released from the device can cause a number of debilitating conditions, including heart disease, hypothyroidism, blindness, and neurological damage.
• Dislocation. In addition to metal poisoning and tissue injuries, patients have been forced to have their Stryker devices removed after the hip separated from the bone, causing excruciating pain and additional recovery times.

Patients who are suffering adverse reactions may experience a number of painful symptoms. The most common complaint is pain in the hip that causes difficulty walking, sitting, and standing. Unfortunately, metal poisoning can often have few symptoms in its earliest stages, causing no noticeable problems until the surrounding bone and tissue have been severely damaged. Patients who have received these devices should have their blood tested regularly to monitor their metal ion levels and should discuss treatment and revision options with their doctors.

Our Firm Leads the Way in Stryker Hip Recall Litigation

In recent years, hip recipients have filed lawsuits against Stryker Orthopaedics that have made a number of allegations against the company. Court documents indicate that Stryker Orthopaedics has been accused of using deceptive sales tactics and devious marketing practices, falsely claiming that the recalled devices were safer than most metal-on-metal hip devices, and incorrectly claiming that these devices would not corrode or fret. Some lawsuits allege that the company was aware of the risks of the devices, but failed to warn patients about the increased likelihood of heavy metal poisoning and device breakage.

Makers of medical devices make millions of dollars off of patients, and they have a duty to deliver safe and properly designed products. Our founder, Michael McGartland, is coordinating a nationwide litigation effort on behalf of victims injured by the Rejuvenate and ABG II devices, making it easy for you to join the case against Stryker. No matter where your surgery was performed or which state you live in, you can be confident that your case will receive the dedicated attention and skills needed to obtain the maximum recovery possible.

Stryker has already settled four lawsuits related to its defective hip devices, and attorneys have estimated that the recall lawsuits could cost the company over $1 billion. If you file a claim against Stryker, you may be eligible to receive compensation for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical expenses (including emergency care, surgery costs, prescriptions, and physical rehabilitation)
• Lost income (including past and future wages and permanent disability)
• Loss of consortium (loss of spouse or damage to your marital relationship)
• Out-of-pocket costs (such as visiting nurses, wound care, and transportation)
• Pain and suffering (physical, mental, and emotional anguish)
• Punitive damages (a costly penalty to punish the company for its negligence)

The McGartland Law Firm has been aggressively representing injured clients for over 25 years. If you are suffering the early failure or dangerous side effects of a hip implant device, seek our help immediately. We have helped victims recover millions of dollars from negligent manufacturers, and we work on a contingency-fee basis, so you will owe us no legal fees unless we win your case. Call the number on this page to join the case against Stryker today!