Why Did Stryker Recall Their Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Replacement Systems?

The Stryker Corporation is a well-known manufacturer of medical devices that operates globally. Unfortunately, several of their hip implant devices have been recalled in recent years. These faulty hip replacement devices cause multiple severe side effects in patients, including tissue damage and metal poisoning. If you have received a Rejuvenate, ABG II, Meridian TMZF Stem, Citation TMZF Stem, Accolade TMZF, or LFIT Anatomic CoCr Femoral Metal Head, it is important that you speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

In addition to contacting a medical doctor, it is vital to contact an attorney. Plaintiffs only have a limited time frame in which they can pursue product liability lawsuits in North Carolina. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we can help ensure that you protect your right to file a lawsuit and help you through this overwhelming time.

The following modular hip replacement systems have been recalled by the manufacturer due to proven, serious side effects:

• Rejuvenate
• ABG II
• Meridian TMZF Stem
• Citation TMZF Stem
• Accolade TMZF
• LFIT Anatomic COCr Femoral Metal Head

If you need to undergo hip revision or reconstruction surgery after receiving a recalled hip implant system, you may be entitled to damages. Undergoing an additional surgery is risky and causes substantially more pain than the initial hip replacement surgery. Additionally, the recovery time is much longer for secondary hip revision surgery. Other side effects of secondary hip revision or reconstructive surgeries include the following:

• Hip dislocation
• Pain in the groin or abdomen area
• Significant loss of muscle mass that causes immovable joints, pain, and difficulty moving
• A significant challenge when walking, standing or maintaining stability

Investigators for the FDA have identified several specific side effects that are associated with hip replacement products. The recalled models have generated a higher-than-expected failure rate after patients have experienced one or more of the following side effects:

• Difficulty balancing
• Hip replacement failure
• Hip stem breakage
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Dislocated hip implants
• Metal ion generation
• Metallosis (metal poisoning)
• Severe pain
• Neck joint corrosion leading to the release of metal debris
• Implant site information
• Joint noises including popping, snapping, squeaking, and clicking

Metal-on-metal hip implant devices have been known to cause serious problems related to the metal material of the devices. Many clients who have been injured by defective hip systems have needed to undergo hip joint replacement surgery to replace their damaged cartilage or bone with a prosthetic joint. Those who have received a recalled Stryker hip implant system have needed a partial hip resurfacing device and a total hip replacement unit.

Tidal hip joint devices are intended to replace the patients’ natural hip socket, called the acetabulum, and the ball called the femoral head. After pressure from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Stryker issued several urgent recall notices. The company sent these recall notices out to physicians and surgeons. The notices identified specific risks to patients who have received the recalled hip implant devices:

• Generating metal ions
• The release of metallic debris into the body
• Metallosis (metal poisoning)

Metallosis, or metal poisoning, is one of the most severe consequences of metal hip implant devices. Other problems that can create toxic metal corrosion and severe adverse health conditions include:

• Necrosis in which the bone and tissue die from metallosis toxicity
• Osteolysis which causes metal toxicity where necrotic bone tissue dissolves
• Pseudotumor development - a false tumor system surrounding the inflamed joint develops
• Systemic metallosis - metal from the hip implant device enters a patient’s bloodstream and causes widespread and toxic inflammation
• Bone fractures caused when the joint tissue surrounding the affected joint becomes weakened
• The need for hip revision surgery
• The need for expensive and painful reconstruction surgical procedures to restore damaged bone tissue that has caused femur or pelvic fractures

If you think your hip implant might be defective, it is important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. North Carolina law imposes a statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits, so it is important to act before it is too late. Contact one of our Charlotte personal injury attorneys today to get started.

For your convenience and safety, we offer video and phone conferencing. If you prefer an in-person consultation, we have three easy to reach offices in Uptown Charlotte, Monroe and Mooresville. Contact us to schedule your free consultation. The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC can help fight for the compensation you deserve.