Stryker Orthopaedics manufactures a number of artificial hips and artificial hip components that have been the subject of very serious lawsuits. Many plaintiff’s attorneys have filed lawsuits that have addressed the defective design of the “metal on metal” socket joints. These metal on metal socket joints tend to shave off metal shavings into the patients bodies. As a result, the patients get metal poisoning which can be extremely serious.
There are also serious reports of problems with some other Stryker products, some of which involve ceramic joints in the ball and socket fixtures.
July 2012, Stryker Orthopedics issued a recall of the Rejuvenate Modular Hip System. The recall includes both the “Rejuvenate” as well as the “ABG II” modular-neck hip stems. Stryker recalled these products because of the risks of fretting and corrosion that have been reported in conjunction with the modular neck junction.
Stryker Rejuvenate hips have been reported to fail very quickly, sometimes in a matter of a couple of years. Hip implants in general are expected to last a couple of decades. Also, the Stryker Rejuvenate artificial hip has been implicated by defective product attorneys in an increased risk of metallosis, or metal poisoning. The Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants are designed differently than some other metal on metal artificial hips because of their ceramic component that was used instead of purely metal on metal designs. In particular, they have a metal neck piece that some product defect attorneys have alleged can rub against the metal stem shaving off little bits of metal and causing Metallosis.
Some of the models that dangerous product attorneys have claimed are particularly dangerous are:
- Rejuvenate Modular Neck, 0 DEG
- Rejuvenate Modular Neck, 8 DEG
- Rejuvenate Modular Neck, 16 DEG
- Rejuvenate SPT Modular Stem, Straight Press-Fit Texture TMFZ
- Accolade TMZF
- Omnifit C-Taper stems.
Anyone that has questions about whether or not their hip implants have caused them unnecessary pain or potential problems should speak with a design defect attorney immediately. Sometimes waiting can result in the loss of someone’s ability to get compensation. Many reputable lawyers will gladly give a free consultation to answer a patient’s questions.