Stryker Hip Info

Published on: September 1, 2014

Foot Drop (Peroneal Nerve Damage) Caused by Hip Implants

Peroneal nerve damage (foot drop) associated with hip replacement surgery is a serious disorder suffered by tens of thousands of individuals. The damage usually involves injury to the sciatic nerve arising from a complication occurring during or after hip implant surgery. Like any neurological injury, foot drop can be potentially devastating, requiring nonsurgical orthotics, physical therapy and/or decompression surgery, or other serious complex medical procedure.

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, peroneal nerve damage often has minimal potential of recovery even with surgery. Doctors often treat the condition non-surgically using a custom-fitted foot splint (orthotic) allowing the individual to resume nearly normal daily activity. With proper physical therapy, some relief can be found.

Depending on the seriousness of the injury, revision surgery is often recommended immediately or within a few months after the initial hip replacement procedure. Surgical repair often involves nerve grafting, nerve suture, or possible decompression of the nerve at the damaged site. An additional option can include a nerve transfer, where nerve tissue is harvested from a less important lower leg muscle, and relocated at the damaged site to lift the foot.

Published on: May 28, 2014

Stryker Hip Recall Cuts Into Company Profits

by Drug Law Center

Profit-loss at Stryker Ever since the voluntary Stryker hip recall initiated in 2012, thousands of patients have been negatively impacted. These patients have suffered from revision hip surgeries, development of pseudotumors, extensive pain, swelling, metallosis and even nerve damage. The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II systems were recalled after numerous medical research studies indicated that they were prone to corrosion and fretting. Metal-on-metal hip implants, such as the ones produced by Stryker, have a tendency to wear over time. As the hip implant becomes worn, it releases metal ions into the bloodstream.

Until now, the media has rarely addressed the impact of the Stryker hip recall litigation efforts on the actual profitability of the business. For the first time, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently reported that Stryker suffered a tremendous 77 percent drop in profits for the first quarter of 2014 (for additional information about the corporate history look here). From this figure, one can predict that investors will likely continue to lose faith in Stryker Orthopaedics. Investing in Stryker is becoming unattractive as the company has now developed a reputation for producing defective and high-risk hip implants.

The Steep 77 Percent Decline in Profits at Stryker Orthopedics

Published on: May 21, 2014

Technology Helping Physicians Monitor Patients With Stryker Hip Implants

by Drug Law Center

Technology and Monitoring Patients Ever since the Stryker hip implant recall in 2012, thousands of patients have required a revision surgery. Elderly patients have been forced to undergo painful and invasive hip revision surgeries as a result of corrosion in the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II hip systems. Patients may require a hip revision surgery if they suffer from the destruction of bone or muscles, nerve damage or infections.

Those who have hip implants should aim to detect adverse tissue reaction and other negative reactions as soon as possible. Technology and sophisticated medical tests have been developed to assist patients in these early detection methods. Specifically, the Center for Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Replacement has created a test able to detect adverse tissue reaction in metal-on-metal hip implants.

The basic process of assessing adverse tissue reaction includes the following stages: