Stryker Hip Recall

The Nature of the Device: Hip replacements have been common for over two decades. Thousands of Americans have them every year, either because of an accident or because of age-related deterioration. Hip prostheses are made of metal, plastic, or ceramic parts that join the thigh bone to the pelvis. Biomet, Inc., DuPuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Smith & Nephew plc, Stryker Corporation, Wright Medical Group, Inc., and Zimmer, Inc. have made most of the hip replacements sold in the United States.


The Hazards of Stryker Hip Replacements: Hip replacements’ medical problems are caused by the material that the device is made of, rather than the surgery. The hazard for the Stryker replacement is that its metal-on-metal joint can erode, spreading tiny metal particles into soft tissue near the joint which causes medical problems. Because of that defect, the Stryker Rejuvenate and the ABG II Modular-Neck hip stem were linked to many adverse reports and patient injuries. In 2012, Stryker recalled both hip-implant systems.

Stryker hip replacements can produce dangerous side effects, including cell necrosis, pseudotumors, and bone fractures. Stryker patients have needed surgery to replace their implant following severe pain and inflammation, and surgery brings risks apart from the risks associated with a defective implant.
Stryker hip-replacement patients have also experienced other mild to moderate side effects. They include loss of muscle mass due to immobility, hip dislocation, difficulty standing and walking, pain in the implant area or in the groin, or severe inflammation of the hip or groin.

Those problems plus the larger issue of metal-on-metal erosion, have produced a number of lawsuits and government actions.

To Obtain Legal Relief: People who have been injured by a Stryker hip replacement may have valuable legal rights. Attorney Stephen A. Katz is available at (800) 251-3529 for a free consultation, or for legal representation.