Stryker Hip Replacement

Over time, bone and tissue in the joints can break down and wear away. Bone and tissue deterioration can cause arthritis, pain, and decreased mobility. For some patients, hip replacement surgery can help them return to an active life.

Unfortunately, not all hip implants are equal. Some metal-on-metal hip implant systems have caused injuries and other painful side effects and adverse events. In a defective medical device claim, you can recover compensation from the manufacturers. If you suffered injuries after a defective Stryker hip replacement, talk to a defective Stryker hip implant lawyer.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

Patients with deteriorated hip joints can suffer pain, decreased mobility, and have difficulty with the activities of daily living. These patients may be candidates for hip arthroplasty or hip replacement surgery. During hip replacement surgery, artificial materials replace the damaged hip joint.

Types of hip replacement surgery include total hip replacement and partial hip replacement. In a total arthroplasty, artificial materials replace the damaged bone and tissue. The surgeon replaces the damaged socket, and the head of the femur is removed and replaced with a ball to fit into the hip socket.

After recovery, patients can resume walking, exercising, and participating in daily activities. The surgery provides pain relief and increased mobility. In a successful hip replacement surgery, patients can remain active for 10 to 20 years or more. However, defective hip implants have higher failure rates. They may be less effective, cause pain, and require revision surgery.

What Is the Stryker Hip Replacement System?

The Stryker Corporation is a medical device manufacturer. Stryker has produced various parts for hip implants. These include the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II modular neck hip stem for use in hip surgery. In 2012, Stryker notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of possible defective design problems.

Some of the affected Stryker devices had issues with fretting or corrosion around the modular neck junction. Eventually, Stryker issued a voluntary recall for all affected devices. Stryker also issued corrective actions for patients. This included blood testing for chromium and cobalt levels from metallic debris.

What Are the Risks of a Stryker Hip Replacement Device?

Metal components can corrode over time. Metal breaking down and corrosion can release metal particles and metal ions into the surrounding tissue. Some of the serious complications and side effects of Stryker and other defective hip implant devices included:

• Metal poisoning or metallosis
• Hip dislocation
• Allergic reactions
• Bone loss or osteolysis
• Pain

Some patients required revision surgery to correct the damage or replace the defective hip stems.

What Is a Defective Medical Device Claim?

A defective medical device lawsuit is a type of product liability claim. For most personal injury cases, the injury victim has to show negligence. However, with product liability cases, you only have to show the device was defective when it was put out into the market. There are generally three types of defective product claims, including:

• Design defects
• Manufacturing defects
• Warning defects

A design defect means that there was a problem with the device’s design. For example, a metal-on-metal hip joint could wear down over time. Even if it is produced as designed, it may still be dangerous to patients.

In a manufacturing defect, there is a problem with the production process. For example, if the manufacturing facility was not sterile, the device could introduce a serious infection into a patient’s body.

Thousands of patients have filed Stryker hip replacement lawsuits for damages. They claim the defective devices are dangerous, cause pain and tissue damage, and require additional surgery.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

A defective medical device attorney can help injury victims get compensation for their damages. Product liability claims are different from other medical malpractice lawsuits. An attorney familiar with medical defect cases can explain your rights. Damages in a product liability lawsuit can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Costs of revision surgeries
• Pain and suffering

It can be difficult to find out that the medical device you have inside your body is defective. A product liability lawsuit is a way to make sure the medical device manufacturer is held accountable. If you have a Stryker or DePuy hip implant and are suffering adverse effects, find out about your legal rights. A Stryker hip implant lawsuit attorney can explain your legal options to get compensation.