If you have had hip replacement surgery with a metal-on-metal implant, you may be affected by this recall. Whether you currently notice symptoms or not, it is important to follow up with your surgeon regarding your implant.
If you are unsure about whether or not you were given a Stryker Rejuvenate Modular or ABG II implant, there are some ways to learn more about your own device. Reviewing your own medical records or billing information may reveal the type of implant you received. If you are unsure whether or not your implant was manufactured by Stryker, speak with your surgeon.
Complications from metal-on-metal implants, including those by Stryker, are not always apparent. While you may feel pain or other symptoms, some complications require tests to detect. Blood work is required to identify metallosis, the potentially serious buildup of metal particles in soft tissues within the body. These asymptomatic complications reinforce the importance of speaking with your doctor about your implant.
Because of the complications caused by the implants and a lack of thorough testing before introducing the implants to the market, lawsuits have been filed against Stryker. In 2009, the company applied for, and received, 510(k) approval from the FDA for the implants. This process allows the devices to be used without the typical extensive clinical trials and testing because they are shown to be similar enough to devices on the market that were rigorously tested. This expedites the process of getting products to patients, but does not mean that the device itself has received a specific safety approval from the FDA, simply that it is similar enough to one that has been approved.
This lack of rigorous testing of the implants and the complications that have resulted have prompted patients to file lawsuits against Stryker. Additionally, the devices were conceived to be superior to other implants because of their interchangeable parts and were sold to younger patients because of their durability claims. Because the devices were used throughout the country, the lawsuits undergo a special process. This is not a class-action lawsuit, which you often hear about on television or in the new. Instead, it is multidistrict litigation (MDL). This allows lawsuits against the same defendant (Stryker) with the same claims to be combined for investigation. This helps to save time and resources before the trial and helps each individual patient get resolution faster than if they each brought a separate lawsuit.
If you were implanted with Rejuvenate or ABG II Modular Hip Systems and have suffered complications, you may be entitled to compensation, including, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, along with other types of compensatory damages. After you have consulted your physician and protected your health, speak with an attorney to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please call the experienced personal injury Estey and Bomberger at (800) 672-1036 to discuss your legal rights.
