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We are no longer accepting cases related to the use of Stryker Rejuvenate/ABG II Hip Implant. We have successfully resolved the cases related to Stryker Rejuvenate/ABG II Hip Implant use and have obtained settlements on behalf of our clients.
Kentucky Defective Drug and Medical Device AttorneysAnyone who has required a hip replacement or implant within the past decade may very well have received one of several types of defective hip implants that were marketed and manufactured within that time frame. Among those are the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II Hip Implants.
The Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant was voluntarily recalled by Stryker in June 2012. The Stryker Rejuvenate implant is a modular-neck hip system. These implants were used by physicians because they could correct defects in a patient’s anatomy and help improve the patient’s quality of life.
Over time, though, the implant could be subject to fretting and corrosion at the modular neck joint. Additionally, the implants could cause a condition known as ALTR – adverse local tissue reactions – as well as pain and swelling around the joint. All of these conditions drastically affect quality of life for patients.
Stryker has recommended that all patients who received one of its Rejuvenate or ABG II Hip Implants visit a doctor, who should conduct both blood work and imaging to ensure the hip implant is not defective and that the patient is not experiencing any adverse reaction the metal debris released by the fretting of the modular components. Even if the patient does not have any noticeable problems with the implant, the testing is still highly recommended.
Lawsuits Pending Against StrykerEven though Stryker voluntarily recalled these hip implants, patients are still holding Stryker accountable for rushing its products to market. In some cases, patients have received settlements already. Other plaintiffs are awaiting trial, with the first cases expected to go to court in 2015. Some patients have had multiple surgeries to replace a defective hip.
In one case, a woman reported that she was having cognitive issues, and discovered her previous implants were causing metallosis, which is an elevated level of chromium and cobalt metal ions in the blood. One symptom of metallosis is cognitive problems. She had a second surgery to replace those hip implants with the Stryker implants, and had a second case of metallosis and developed extreme anxiety because of it. She had her second, Stryker, implants replaced with a set of ceramic implants and is reportedly doing much better.
This is just one example of the many patients who have experienced problems with the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II hip devices. There are many more like her – thousands, in fact – who are already involved in Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Minnesota or in state court actions in New Jersey. The MDL aims to consolidate many of these similar cases in one court to help get patients the compensation they deserve and lawsuits resolved more efficiently.
Medical devices have not received the type of scrutiny you’d expect. The Food and Drug Administration sometimes uses a 510(k) process to help devices get on the market quicker. The process fast-tracks approval for devices that are substantially the same as other devices already on the market. Many hip implants such as the Stryker hip implant were approved by this process. Two medical studies show that the required data and information for many of these medical devices is unavailable, leaving surgeons and the public without needed information to assess options for medical care.
Protect Your Rights by Hiring an Experienced LawyerIf you have been injured by a defective product or medical device, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit. Contact attorney Jessica Shoulders at (270) 781-6500 or jshoulders@elpolaw.com. She can provide a free consultation about your case and help you determine the next steps.