August 11, 2014 - If you are currently facing Stryker Rejuvenate revision surgery, it is likely you are anxious and frightened about the surgical procedure. You likely have questions regarding the surgery, how to find a qualified orthopedic surgeon and how you will handle the longer recovery time associated with a Rejuvenate revision. If you are uncertain how to proceed and worried about protecting your rights and your future it could be time to speak to a qualified Stryker hip attorney.
How the Stryker Hip Recall May Have Affected You
The Stryker Rejuvenate, along with the ABGII, were recalled in July, 2010, after a safety notification from Stryker in April, 2010, stated the potential hazards of the Rejuvenate as “excessive metal debris and/or ion generation. Fretting and/or corrosion…increased metal ion generation in the surrounding joint space.” The notification also stated “If you have no symptoms you should continue to follow the post-operative plan that your surgeon has outlined for you.” This seems pretty mild advice for all those recipients of a defective Rejuvenate who have experienced Stryker hip infection, Stryker hip blood poisoning, Stryker hip metallosis or Stryker hip pseudotumors.
Metallosis and Metal Toxicity From a Recalled Stryker Rejuvenate
Stryker hip metallosis can cause severe inflammation, chronic hip, groin or thigh pain, the deterioration of bone and tissue, hip failure and the necessity for revision surgery. Symptoms of chromium and cobalt blood poisoning include renal failure, cardiovascular disorders, neurological issues, gastrointestinal disorders, vertigo, memory loss, irritability, depression, anxiety, hearing and vision disturbances, DNA disruption, reproductive disorders, the development of pseudotumors, tremors and convulsions and even the development of some types of cancers.
Discovering Your Adverse Health Symptoms are the Result of a Stryker Rejuvenate
You may not even have been aware of the problems associated with the Rejuvenate until the Stryker hip recall was issued; if you suffered pain or other symptoms you may have attributed them to other health issues, or even your age. You may have been told by your doctor that there was no evidence of loosening or infection, therefore made up your mind to live with the pain. If you have suffered adverse health effects for a significant length of time you may actually feel relieved to know your symptoms are almost certainly related to your Rejuvenate implant.
Issues Associated With Stryker Rejuvenate Revision Surgery
Medical research conducted on the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII has placed the failure rate anywhere from 28% to as high as 65 or even 70%. Any of those numbers are bad and have probably contributed to your desire to have your Rejuvenate removed. There are, however, issues associated with Stryker Rejuvenate revision surgery. Many patients cannot afford the cost of revision surgery, which can run as high as $200,000 or more. Your doctor may have told you that because of your age or medical condition(s) the revision surgery will be particularly dangerous. There are risks associated with any type of surgery, including anesthesia, poor results and problems with wound healing however Stryker Rejuvenate revision surgery comes with its own set of potential problems.
There is risk of femur fracture during the revision surgery because the stem of the Rejuvenate is particularly long and set deeply into the femoral bone. In some instances the femur must be deliberately fracture by the surgeon to permit the removal of the stem, then the bone must be rebuilt or wired back together. In general, the longer the Rejuvenate has been implanted in your body, the more complex the revision. The actual revision surgery can take as long as five hours, leaving the patient exposed to excessive blood loss, infection and nerve damage. The recovery time is six weeks or longer, making it extremely difficult for many patients to take off from work for that length of time as well as get help to manage day-to-day activities while in recovery.