Stryker Hip Recall

Stryker Corporation has issued a temporary recall of its Trident PSL and Trident Hemispherical Acetabular Cups used in hip replacement surgery. Stryker hip implants are manufactured by Stryker Howmedica Corporation, a leading manufacturer of hip implants located in Michigan. We have lawyers currently reviewing cases involving faulty Stryker hip implants.  If you have noticed that your hip implant is not working properly, or squeaks/clicks when you walk, you may be entitled to file a claim against Stryker Corp. Stryker has received numerous complaints concerning its Trident Hemispherical and Trident PSL cups, which have failed to function, and hip implant components that have poor fixation.

Symptoms of a Faulty Hip Implant

If you have had hip replacement surgery and have suffered with pain, bone fractures, or metal poisoning from wear particles or broken fragments, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit. Most of the lawsuits being filed are for the Metal-on-Metal versions of the implants, however, complaints also include a squeaking noise of hip implants with ceramic bearing components which is considered a potential precursor of prosthesis failure. Many times, these complications lead to painful revision surgery in order to replace the implant. If you have experienced any of these complications from your hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The types of compensation you may be eligible to receive include:

• Medical expenses (doctor’s visits, pain medication, revision surgery, new hip replacement).
• Other compensatory damages (home health care and other caregiver costs, lost income).
• Pain and suffering (physical suffering, mental and emotional suffering).
• Loss of consortium (damage to relationship with spouse).
• Punitive damages (awards to discourage similar negligence).

How Do Hip Implants Work?

Stryker hip implants are used to replace part or all of a patient’s damaged hip. These hip implants can be highly beneficial for patients who suffer from severe hip pain and significant loss of mobility. The surgery and recovery are substantial, involving incisions, healing and ultimately physiotherapy to regain strength and normal functioning. Implants typically follow the same “ball and socket” model: a socket is implanted into the pelvis, which fits snugly next to a head (the ball). That head attaches to a spike that is cemented or drilled into the femur. Traditionally, these implants have been manufactured from metal and/or plastic. It was believed that the ceramic models could not cause the same problems because it was not a metal-on-metal product. However, contradictory evidence has since emerged, showing that ceramic implants are experiencing numerous complications.

Stryker Hip Implant Recalls

In November 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to Stryker warning that, according to the FDA’s own investigation of consumer complaints, the company had serious problems with the quality of its products and had not implemented adequate corrective solutions to fix these problems. The FDA went on to warn Stryker that if it did not take prompt action to correct these problems, the FDA would take further action, including seizure, injunction, and/or other civil penalties. On January 22, 2008, Stryker issued a recall of the following products:

• Trident Acetabular PSL Cup
• Trident Hemispherical Cup

In addition to the problems associated with the hip implants themselves, during an FDA investigation held during the summer of 2007, FDA inspectors found the manufacturing site deficient with regard to some of its quality control procedures. Disease-causing germs were found at the facility, including clumps and clusters of a form of Staphylococcus bacteria.

Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Stems

In addition to the lawsuits surrounding their Trident line of implants, Stryker is likely to face lawsuits because of problems caused by the metal-on-metal design of its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems. Unlike one-piece, fixed femoral components, these models have two-part, mix-and-match necks and stems, both of which are made of metal. Metal-on-metal pieces can corrode and deteriorate which adds the concern of metal leaching into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream. This leads to metallosis, which can cause serious complications such as tissue death, pseudotumors, and bone loss.

How to File a Stryker Hip Implant Claim

Many people have suffered pain, fractured bones and repeat surgeries due to the defects in the Stryker hip implants. If you suspect that you or someone you love has been injured because of a defective hip implant product, it is important to contact a hip implant attorney immediately. If you had a Stryker implant, or if you are not aware of the brand or model, fill out the contact for on this page for a free evaluation of your case. We are now accepting Stryker hip implant cases in all 50 states. These implants have been recalled and if you have suffered as a result, you are entitled to legal representation. Seeking help right away ensures that you do not miss the deadline for filing your claim, which could keep you from seeking compensation at all.