A Washington state resident has joined the multidistrict litigation against Howmedica Osteonics, which operates under the name of Stryker Orthopaedics, alleging the hip implant manufacturer failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks and side effects of their replacement hip implant devices.

Plaintiff Maurine F. has filed a hip replacement lawsuit, claiming she suffered injuries directly related to Stryker’s negligent manufacturing of the Rejuvenate modular hip implant.

Maurine underwent total left and right hip replacement surgery in December 2010, when she received the Stryker Rejuvenate Modular hip implants. She claims that after the implantation of the hip stems that she suffered hip implant complications and had to have both her right and left hip implants removed in January 2013.

Maurine alleges Stryker knew or should have known of the risks of the replacement hip but continued to aggressively manufacture and market the device without adequate warnings, testing, or approval.

Hip Implant Complications

Physicians and health regulators have focused substantial attention on the dangers to patients from the release of tiny metallic particles from all-metal (also called metal-on-metal) hip implants.

Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip implants contain components made of chromium, cobalt, and titanium.

Friction created by the normal movement of the components that make up Stryker hip replacement systems can release microscopic shavings and metal debris into the surrounding tissue and blood.

This can lead to a condition called metallosis, which is characterized by painful, inflammatory reactions in the tissue and a high blood-metal count.

Patients who have received Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II hip systems should be aware of the symptoms which may indicate that their devices are not functioning properly.

Common hip implant complications include:

• Regular and prolonged pain in the groin, hip, or leg
• Swelling at or near the hip joint
• A limp or a change in walking ability

In April 2012, Stryker issued an “Urgent Safety Alert” to surgeons for the two hip replacement systems. The alert listed “excessive metal debris and/or ion generation” as one of the safety risks to patients.

According to Stryker’s Safety Alert, the following problems can result:

• Metallosis (release of metal ions into the tissue and bloodstream)
• Necrosis (premature tissue death)
• Osteolysis (bone dissolution)
• Pain and loosening of the hip implant requiring hip revision surgery

Stryker Hip Recall & Lawsuits

In July 2012, Stryker voluntarily recalled its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck stems from the market. The products were recalled due to reports of fretting and corrosion. According to some reports, the FDA received two adverse events linked to the recalled devices, including one in which the device was removed.

On Nov. 3, 2014, Stryker announced a settlement of the lawsuits involving patients whose Rejuvenate or ABG II hip replacement systems were revised prior to November 3, 2014. This settlement was valued at over $1 billion.

In 2013, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement lawsuits initially filed in federal court and any future federal claims to U.S. Judge Donovan Frank who is presiding over the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in a Minnesota federal court.

These consolidated Stryker lawsuits charge that both the Rejuvenate and ABG II devices are defective and that Stryker knew or should have known that hip implant systems were not safe for patients. The hip implant lawsuits filed by the Stryker hip implant patients seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

The Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 0:15-cv-02995-DWF-FLN, which is part of the Stryker Hip Implant MDL In re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 13-2441 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.