Despite a Stryker Orthopedics recall in July of 2012
for the company’s Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implant devices, recipients of the
devices are simply not getting the information they need about potential
implant hazards. Canada, who appears to be a bit ahead of the curve when
removing potentially dangerous medical devices and drugs from the market, experienced
a recall of the implants almost two months earlier. An Urgent Safety alert was
sent out by Stryker to physicians and hospitals in April of 2012, advising that
there could be potential problems with the hip implants.
This Safety Alert stated that the potential hazards of
the Rejuvenate and ABGII include: “Excessive
metal debris and/or ion generation. Fretting and/or corrosion at or about the
modular neck junction may lead to increased metal ion generation in the
surrounding joint space.” Even though Stryker is aware of the potential
safety risks of these two hip implants and issued a voluntary recall, they have
yet to create a specific program which will both identify those with a
Rejuvenate and ABGII as well as aid hip implant recipients in getting the help
they need.
Should
Stryker Follow DePuy’s Lead for Their Recalled Hip Implants?
Although Johnson & Johnson announced a method
which would allow DePuy ASR victims to get assistance shortly after the recall
was issued, Stryker has yet to follow up with similar help for their implant
recipients. Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, DePuy, hired a third
party – Broadspire Services, Inc. - to administer patient claims associated
with the ASR recall. Broadspire generally manages workers compensation and
other medical claims on behalf of insurance companies and employers, so many
were surprised that DePuy and Johnson & Johnson had chosen this route.
Nonetheless, recipients of the ASR felt like DePuy was
at least doing something to help them get the treatment they needed while recipients
of the Rejuvenate and ABGII have received nothing at this point. The process of
physician notification can be laborious and slow which means that a fair number
of the estimated 30,000 – 50,000 recipients of the Rejuvenate and ABGII have
yet to receive notification of the potential risks of their hip implant.
Stryker’s Response to Implant Recipients
Many
believe Stryker should be much more aggressive in implementing a program to
help those affected by the recall. Even in the official statements on their
website, Stryker’s response was somewhat lackluster as they advised those who
had received either a Rejuvenate or ABGII to contact their surgeon if they
noticed any undue pain or swelling around the hip joint while further stating
that “If you have no symptoms, you should continue to follow the post-operative
plan that your surgeon has outlined for you.” Should you believe your recalled
Rejuvenate or ABGII hip implant is a risk to your health, it could be
beneficial for you to seek legal advice.
| stryker hip lawyers |
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