On July 6, 2012, Stryker Orthopaedics issued a recall of its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants.  This hip implant recall followed a recall of the defective product in Canada in the spring of 2012.  According to the recall notice posted on the FDA’s website, the hip implants have been recalled because of a fretting and corrosion at the modular neck junction.  This deterioration leads to the deposit of metal ions into the soft tissue surrounding the hip joint, which results in metallosis, necrosis and osteolysis, any of which may result in the need for a revision surgery, where the hip implant is removed and replaced with another implant.

This recall is the latest in a string of negative information that has been amassing about metal-on-metal hip implants.  In August of 2010, DePuy Orthopaedicsrecalled two if it’s metal-on-metal hip implants and several other metal-on-metal hip implants have been discontinued.  Recently, the FDA convened a panel of experts to evaluate metal-on-metal hip implants.  Although the panel did not recommend an outright recall of all metal-on-metal hip implants, it did find little reason to use the implants and cautioned doctors against their use.  Although the Rejuvenate and ABG II models do not have the same design defect as many of the metal-on-metal hip implants, which are susceptible to excessive wear on the articulated surfaces of the femoral head and acetabular cup, the developing data indicates that there is a design defect in modular neck junction of these devices.

Stryker began selling the Rejuvenate and ABG II models in the United States in 2009.  Post-market surveillance of the device disclosed excessive adverse event reports suggestive of a trend toward an unusually high failure rate.  Patients have complained of pain, swelling and discomfort in the hip area.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your orthopedic surgeon and have your hip implant evaluated.  You should also contact a lawyer knowledgeable about the Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant recall and the developing litigation.

The defective medical device lawyers at Sullivan & Brill, LLP represent individuals that have been harmed by Styker Hip Implants. If you or a loved one has been the victim of Styker's irresponsible manufacture, marketing and distribution of this medical device, call 212-566-1000 or fill out the form to the left for a free consultation with one of the hip implant lawyers at Sullivan & Brill, LLP.

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