Though you may be aware that Stryker Orthopaedics Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement systems were recalled in July 6, 2012, what many patients who were implanted with these devices may not know what a recall means to you or what you’re entitled to as a result of the recall.
Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II History: A Fast Track to Complications
The FDA approved the Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant in June 2008, with the ABG II following in November 2009. Both systems received 510(k) notification approval, bypassing clinical testing because Stryker made the case that these devices were not to be considered metal-on-metal hip replacement devices and that they were similar enough to other devices already on the market, since they do not involve a metal ball and socket.
But what they did have were metal neck components made of chromium and cobalt and a stem coated with titanium. As failure studies and hip replacement recipient complaints have shown, this led to complications including metallosis caused by metallic debris in the bloodstream, regardless of the fact that these were not categorized as “true” metal-on-metal hip replacement systems.
Further complicating things, is Stryker’s unique design for these hip implants, nestling them within the femur itself, and coated to encourage bone growth over the implant, making revision surgery even more complicated and difficult than other hip implant failures and revision surgeries.
What we know now is that the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II replacement systems have a high risk of failure, requiring revision surgery at approximately three times the normal rate of other hip replacement devices.
Revision Surgery and Compensation: Stryker Hip Implants
Some patients think they can deal strictly with their health insurance company to seek some sort of resolution with a claim like this but that assumption is false. Your health insurer will pay for medical expenses that they’re required to cover under contract – nothing more.
Stryker’s Broadspire program was set-up chiefly to pay for the patient portion of medical expenses, wage losses and mileage reimbursements – nothing more.
For patients dealing with pain and complications, as well as facing the very real possibility of revision surgery, this may look great at first glance but what most people don’t realize is the extent to which their suffering may continue post revision surgery.
In order to get compensated for all of those other things that may result (pain, suffering, disillusionment at the fact that a company sold you a product that turned out to be horribly injurious to people, and has a high revision rate) —you deserve compensation for that. But you aren’t going to get it from your insurance company or in a general revision surgery package from Broadspire. In order to make sure that your rights and best interests are being protected, you may need to pursue a claim against Stryker, and in order to successfully do that, you need to hire an attorney who knows about these kinds of cases.
Stryker Hip Implant Failure: What compensation are you entitled to?
If you’re had a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II hip implant and suspect failure, you may be entitled to:
Medical Expenses (both past and future): This includes compensation for medical exams, revision surgery and any future monitoring as the result of complications such as heavy metal poisoning.
Disability: If your Stryker hip failure resulted in impaired movement or disability, you may be entitled to compensation for disability or diminished capacity.
Loss of wages: If you lost time from work or were unable to work because of your hip failure, you may be entitled to lost wage compensation.
Pain and Suffering: If you experienced severe pain as a result of your failed hip implant device, you may be entitled to compensation for pain or emotional distress as a result of pain, stress, complications etc.
Punitive Damages: These may be assigned if Stryker Orthopaedics is found to be grossly negligent or if they acted inappropriately in response to reports of injury.
If you or a loved one has received the Stryker Rejuvenate Modular Hip System, Meshbesher & Spence is prepared to defend your rights. We are currently handling claims involving the Stryker Orthopaedics Rejuvenate Modular Hip System.
Please contact our office at 888-728-9866 in order to protect your legal rights.
To learn more about the Symptoms of Stryker Implant Failures or the potential complications of Revision surgery for Stryker Defects, please check out The Stryker Recall Resource Center.