Update: New Jersey Supreme Court Establishes MCL for Stryker LFIT Lawsuits
June 5, 2017 – The New Jersey Supreme Court has approved a request to consolidate state lawsuits filed by plaintiffs alleging complications from the Stryker LFIT Anatomic Cobalt Chromium V40 Femoral Head. The request follows a bid for multidistrict litigation (MDL) status in January by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
Overview: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II
Stryker Orthopedics manufactures the Rejuvenate Modular Primary Hip System and the ABG II. Both are designed with a modular-neck stem, which means that there is an interchangeable “neck” component between the femoral stem and head. Approximately 20,000 Americans were implanted with the Rejuvenate or ABG II.
What’s the problem?
The modular-neck stem of the Rejuvenate and ABG II was originally intended to help a surgeon custom-fit the implants to match each patient’s unique biomechanics. Instead, it introduced a dangerous metal-on-metal component that was prone to fretting and corrosion. Over time, patients could develop high levels of metal debris around their hip. The irritating nano-particles of toxic chromium and cobalt could potentially cause severe complications, failure of the implant, and require revision surgery.
Stryker Hip Recall
July 6, 2012 — Stryker Orthopedics has issued a recall notification for the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacements after identifying risks with fretting and corrosion at the modular neck stem. Stryker recommends that patients who are experiencing symptoms of pain of swelling in their hip should contact their orthopedic surgeon.
Metal Poisoning from Stryker Hips
A number of patients who have the Rejuvenate or ABG II modular-neck hip implants fear that they may have high levels of toxic metal in their body. When the metal pieces of the implants rub together, tiny particles of chromium and cobalt can accumulate, oxidize, and corrode.
Chromium typically forms an irritating residue around the hip joint, causing pain, swelling, inflammation, bone loss, and other side effects in the hip area. Cobalt ions are highly water-soluble and genotoxic, and can easily leech into a patient’s bloodstream and cause systemic side effects throughout the body. The long-term risks of metal poisoning from a defective hip implant are unknown.
Stryker Hip Lawsuits
Lawsuits involving Stryker hip implants have been centralized in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL), which is similar to a class action lawsuit. The MDL is located in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota, overseen by Judge Donovan W. Frank. By late 2013, there were over 350 Stryker hip lawsuits. At that time, Stryker submitted a securities filing estimating that they could spend up to $1.13 billion to resolve lawsuits in the following litigation:
- MDL No. 13-2441 — In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation
Risks & Complications of Stryker Hip Implant
- Hip pain
- Swelling, inflammation
- Dislocation, looseness, or instability
- Bone loss (osteolysis)
- Tissue necrosis
- Bone fracture
- Bursal cyst
- Pseudo-tumors (soft-tissue growths)
- Metallosis (metal poisoning)
- Corrosion of hip implant
- Failure in less than five years
- Revision surgery
- Permanent disability
Stryker Hips and Systemic Reactions from Metal Poisoning
Defective hip implants that release toxic metals into a patient’s hip can potentially cause severe systemic reactions and side effects in other areas of the body. The FDA issued a Safety Warning to warn about the following risks:
- General hypersensitivity reactions (skin rash)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Neurological changes
- Hearing or vision loss
- Psychological changes
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Kidney function impairment
- Thyroid dysfunction (neck discomfort, fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold)
Stryker Moves to Settle Rejuvenate, ABG II Hip Litigation
May 16, 2017 – At least 95% of eligible patients have registered for a settlement program intended to resolve product liability lawsuits filed over injuries alleged from Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck hip stems. The company has indicated that it will soon begin making payments to eligible parties.
MDL Court Schedules Initial Conference in LFIT V40 Litigation
April 28, 2017 – The Stryker LFIT MDL is about to get underway, with the proceeding’s Initial Status Conference scheduled for May 16, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Topics to be addressed include Plaintiffs’ leadership structure, potential objectives for the litigation, and the scheduling of upcoming status conferences.
Australian Regulators Warn of Hip Failure with Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Heads
October 5, 2016 – Last week, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a hazard alert regarding Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 femoral heads after the devices were linked to numerous reports of taper lock failure. TGA noted that patients and orthopedic surgeons should be concerned about complications in patients implanted with the devices, which may include loss of mobility, pain, inflammation, adverse tissue reactions, dislocation, broken bones around the implant, and the need for painful revision surgery.
Do I have a Stryker Hip Lawsuit?
The Product Liability & Defective Medical Device Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Stryker hip lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Free Stryker Hip Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one was injured by a Stryker hip replacement, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit, and we can help.