Medical Device Manufacturer Recalls Potentially Defective Hip Implant Devices
Stryker Corporation – a New Jersey-based manufacturer of medical devices – recently announcing the recall of the Rejuvenate Modular and the ABG II modular-neck hip implants due to the risk of wear-and-tear and corrosion at the modular-neck junction, which can cause swelling, pain and device failure. Patients who received a Rejuvenate Modular or ABG II modular-neck stem are encouraged to contact their surgeon, and those uncertain if they have one of these products implanted should consult their surgeon or medical records.
The two products were voluntarily recalled after complaints from patients who say their implants caused serious infection. Both are metal-on metal devices which can potentially trigger metallosis – an adverse reaction to metals in the body which can result in pain, limited mobility, failure of the hip joint, tumor-like growths, dissolution of the bone, DNA changes and chromosomal aberrations in some patients. Typically, the syndrome occurs when metallic debris builds up in the soft tissue surrounding the artificial hip. The recalled devices are capable of deteriorating and releasing metal debris over time. Corrosion or fretting of the device releases microscopic metallic ions into the body, causing an autoimmune response.
Ultimately, hospitalization and corrective surgeries may be necessary if elevated metal levels (cobalt and/or chromium) are found in a patient’s blood.
According to reports, the Stryker devices are linked to a higher than expected early failure rate, resulting in some patients requiring revision surgery to replace their hip replacement implants.
CaseyGerry has extensive experience with medical device litigation. We are no longer accepting Stryker Rejuvenate Modular hip implant cases.
