Guest Writer Alanna Ritchie for Drugwatch.com

Stryker Hip Implants and Complications

Every year, 459,000 Americans have hip replacement surgery, with the goal of decreasing pain and increasing mobility. Hip replacements are often done because of arthritis, osteoarthritis, bone death, obesity, trauma or other hip conditions.
Not every hip replacement surgery alleviates suffering, however. Some hips implants, like two of Stryker Corporation’s devices, the Rejuvenate and ABG II, can cause severe damage and increased pain.
Stryker Hip Implants
Stryker sells 57,000 products, including hip replacement parts manufactured by its orthopaedics division. Certain parts reportedly were not properly tested before they were marketed and implanted in thousands of patients.
The Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stem systems come with several neck and stem components and are designed to offer a custom fit for younger patients. The Rejuvenate was designed to be long-lasting and provide good range of motion. The FDA approved it in June 2008. The ABG II system, approved in November 2009, promised to provide stability and limit bone stress.
Around 20,000 Americans received these Stryker implants.
Serious Complications and Recalls
In April 2012, Stryker published an “Urgent Safety Alert” for hospitals, surgeons and people with the systems, regarding the hazards of the devices, including “excessive metal debris and ion generation.” The metal ions are generated when the chromium and cobalt neck of the device rubs against the titanium-coated stem.
The alert explained that the metal can cause metal poisoning, tissue death, pain that necessitates revision surgery and bone dissolution. Revision surgeries can be complex, traumatic and costly. As a result, many people with various brands of hip implants have filed lawsuits against device manufacturers. As of February 2013, 50 Stryker Lawsuits were pending in New Jersey state courts, and several hundred more cases are expected.
After dozens of people reported adverse events to the FDA, Stryker voluntarily recalled the Rejuvenate and ABG II in July 2012. Though this action prevents more patients from receiving faulty implants, thousands received implants prior to the recall.
Patients who experience pain from modular-neck hip implants should receive medical evaluations, MRIs, X-rays and blood tests to determine if the metal contamination has reached toxic levels.
General Implant Complications
Hip replacement surgery, like any surgery, carries certain risks. Following surgery, blood clots are fairly common. All surgeries are associated with the potential risk of excessive bleeding, heart attack and stroke during the procedure, and anesthesia injury.
Occasionally, there are other complications such as implant breakage, plant loosening, hardened tissues near the joint, differences in leg length and poor alignment, resulting in increased wear and the need for revision surgeries.
Understanding the potential complications of implants can guide you in the journey of pursuing safe and long-lasting mobility.

Alanna Ritchie is a content writer for Drugwatch.com, specializing in news about prescription drugs, medical devices and consumer safety. For more medical devices information, feel free to follow Drugwatch on Twitter

Guest Blog Article by Elizabeth Carrollton For Drugwatch.com

 

Hip Replacements and their Alternative and Complementary Solutions

Arthritis and other chronic joint problems in the hip are the cause of severe pain, inflammation and varying degrees of disability in a significant number of people. Many with these issues will undergo hip replacement surgery to relieve their pain and discomfort and restore mobility.

However, headlines about recent recalls and complications associated with some hip replacement devices have raised awareness of the potential risks involved with surgical treatments, spurring many hip pain sufferers to look to alternative solutions for relief.

Conservative Management

A conservative management of chronic hip pain can significantly reduce symptoms, allowing hip replacement surgery to be delayed, or sometimes avoided. Typically, such a plan includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and lifestyle modifications to reduce symptoms and increase mobility.

Physical therapy generally focuses on targeted exercise to strengthen muscles that support the hip joint, which can reduce pain and increase range of motion for improved hip function. In overweight patients, weight loss is an important part of treatment. Being too heavy places a great deal of excess stress on weight-bearing joints and is a major risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis in the hip.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is a division of the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture has been shown in clinical trials to reduce osteoarthritis pain and inflammation and increase mobility, as have glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are compounds that are naturally present in healthy cartilage. Massage has benefited many patients with hip pain, and there is some evidence that vitamins C,D, E and beta carotene may slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery can be a good option for people with severe hip arthritis symptoms that have not responded to non-surgical treatments. However, it is major surgery and there are risks, so being well-informed about these procedures and knowing the hip implant options available is important.

Metal-on-metal hip replacement products have caused some problems for patients in recent years, with some of these products recalled due to high rates of premature failure and complications, and many hip recall lawsuitsfiled by injured patients.

Metallosis is one serious complication associated with these implants, and occurs when friction between implant components produces microscopic particles of metallic debris. These particles collect in the soft tissues surrounding the hip, causing pain and inflammation. Metal ions from implant debris have also been shown to enter the bloodstream, a situation for which the long-term effects are not known.

Osteolysis is another condition related to implant debris. It occurs as the body’s immune system reacts to the foreign particles, causing bone loss around the implant site that can result in loosening or failure of the implant.

There are options besides metal-on-metal hipimplants, such as ceramic and metal or ceramic and plastic systems, among others. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of all hip replacement options with your doctor to determine which type of hip implant will be safest and most effective for you.

Elizabeth Carrollton writes about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.com.

For other information please check out Consumer Saftey Guide