When the Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant Leads to Cobalt and Chromium Poisoning

Like other hip implant systems before it, the Stryker Rejuvenate was voluntarily recalled in July, 2012. Stryker stated at the time that the Rejuvenate had the potential to cause corrosion and fretting at the neck juncture and that such corrosion could lead to the shearing away of tiny metal particles which could then become lodged in surrounding tissues or enter the bloodstream. The all-metal hip implants have had their share of troubles, as the metal ball and cup would rub against one another during periods of activity, leading to metal ion shear.

Because the ball of the Rejuvenate is ceramic, it was initially believed that corrosion would not be an issue in this model. It was later found that the metal at the neck juncture could lead to corrosion as well as the metal trundles located on either end of the neck piece. When body fluids become trapped beneath these trundles, corrosion can occur and that corrosion although on a much smaller metal surface than the all-metal implantscan nonetheless lead to cobalt and chromium poisoning.

Recipients of the Stryker Rejuvenate should take care to have their cobalt and chromium levels checked on a regular basis as well as reporting any new or worsening pain to their doctor. While the levels of cobalt and chromium in the body may be much less than in those patients with an all-metal implant, every person will respond to these heavy metals differently. While a patient with relatively high levels may have no overt symptoms, the metals can still be eroding the tissues surrounding the hip implant or building up in the bloodstream. Neither of these effects is reversible and will almost certainly cause problems later on. On the other hand, a person with relatively low levels of cobalt and chromium in the body may have serious side effects including chronic and serious pain levels.

Doctors may dismiss the patient’s complaints of pain or other effects from the cobalt and chromium ions, particularly if the blood test shows the cobalt and chromium in the body are within the “acceptable” range. Even though the Rejuvenate has been recalled, many doctors are still unaware of the metal trundle locations which can cause corrosion and metal poisoning. Cobalt and chromium in virtually any amount can cause a wide range of medical issues. Kidney problems are common in chromium and cobalt toxicity as well as cardiovascular issues, neurological issues and problems with the thyroid. In some cases, DNA can become disrupted, and tissue necrosis and tissue death can occur. Many of those who have a hip implant with a metal component in their body note such problems as memory fog, fatigue, chronic headaches, depression and irritability, difficulty taking a deep breath, vertigo, diminishing of hearing and vision, skin issues, gastrointestinal problems and the development of large cysts, known as pseudo-tumors.

Recipients of the Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant system should be well aware of the risks and should have regular medical checkups which include blood tests to monitor the levels of cobalt and chromium in the body. In some cases the patient may have no option other than to have the Rejuvenate removed—a risky and lengthy surgical procedure with a long recovery period. Talk to your doctor if you were implanted with a Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant.