Hip Replacement Recall: Stryker Trident implant parts

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted January 23, 2008

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 46

Stryker Corp. has issued a hip replacement recall for certain implant components manufactured at their Ireland plant. An internal company investigation discovered that their hip implant cups could have levels of “manufacturing residuals” which exceed company standards. This recall is not the first sign of manufacturing problems for Stryker implant components, and the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential hip replacement lawsuits for individuals who have experienced pain, bone fractures or other serious problems after surgery.

Last week the FDA released a copy of a warning letter which was sent to Stryker in November 2007 about hip implant manufacturing problems at a different plant owned by the company in New Jersey. The FDA indicated that Stryker had received numerous complaints about their Trident hip replacement parts between January 2005 and April 2007, but failed to adequately address the problems. Following the FDA warning letter, Stryker launched an internal investigation which discovered additional problems with some products manufactured at their Ireland plant.

The hip replacement recall was issued January 22, 2008, for two products from the Stryker Trident hip implant line: the Trident Acetabular PSL Cup and the Trident Hemispherical Cup. Both products are used in the socket portion of hip replacements and the PSL version is the most commonly used of all Stryker Trident cups in the United States. The hip implants fit into the metal sockets, which help the bones in the joint move properly after replacement surgery.  The components were recalled due to deviations from internal manufacturing specifications.

The company has stated that the recall only applies to the hip replacement components which have not been implanted into patients and that there are no indications the “manufacturing residuals” will require that the hip replacement parts be removed. The company claims that the parts still meet U.S and international standards for sterility and compatibility in the human body.

HIP REPLACEMENT RECALL LAWSUITS

The manufacturing problems at the Stryker plants in New Jersey and Ireland have raised concerns about the quality of hip implant products made by the company.  The hip is a complex joint, and manufacturing defects in hip implant components could result in “squeaky” noises in the replacement joint, pain, discomfort, fractured bones or the possible need for additional surgery.

According to the November 2007 FDA warning letter, numerous individuals who received Stryker Trident hip replacement components have reported complaints to the manufacturer over the past three years. These complaints could be consistent with manufacturing defects, and potential hip replacement lawsuits are being reviewed nationwide for individuals who have experienced problems which could be caused by defective implant parts.

If you, a friend or family member suspect that pain, difficulty walking or fractures could be caused by defective hip implant components, the product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. can help determine if defective parts which were included in the Stryker hip replacement recall may have been used. To review a potential claim, request a free consultation.

46 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Rachel says:

    I`ve had total hip replacement on right 2006. It feel`s fine. 6 mo. before the first one i had to have a left total hip replacement 11-2-05 it never was right I alway`s hurt and I can hear a squeeking noise. that is very terrifying. betwwen the two hips I know there is something that1s not right…. It`s hard to get a DR. to listen..I`m 42 years old

    Posted on September 6, 2008 at 10:24 pm

  • Susan says:

    I received my Stryker Hip Implant at the age of 46 in late December of 2004. This was my second hip archopasty. The first one was done in October of 2003 on the same hip due to Avascular Necrosis. The first doctor really messed up the procedure and I had to go to another doctor to get the problem fixed. The first one was a Zimmer Triology Hip System which continued to slip around because the surgeon put in a non matching set. The ball was to large for the cup and the femoral stint was a 14 which is now causing the femur to crack in half. I went in to Houston for my second one and that Dr. was so nice. Unfortunately the Stryker Trident Acetabular System failed to attach the the pelvic bone and I am going to have to go through still another surgery. After the second surgery I ran a high temperature of 104 for the next six days. I was finally discharched on New Years Eve only to have to return to the hospital to go through surgery because the implant dislocated. When the surgeon opened up the incision he found a whole lot of fluid an pus which had forced the prosthesis out of place. I was immediately put on IV antibiotics for the next 3 months for a stapholoccous infection. Since then I have been through two more Diagnostic Hip Aspirations with Lidocaine Injections the last being in early December of 2008 When I went in for the follow up the x-ray confirmed that the implant had never attached to the pelvic wall and it is not rubbing against the pelvic girdle causing exptreme pain when walking. What is even worse I can not get health insurance after the other two surgeries which occured while I was on Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas since I was a full time teacher at the time. When my Cobra expired I could not afford to purchase an individual policy and even if I was able I would not have insurance for the pre-exisiting condition. My doctor now says I have to have this fourth hip surgery so I am depending on winning this law suit to cover the expense of the surgery. I hope that it will occur soon otherwise I will have no other choice but to file for permanent disability at the age of 50. The surgery has to be done since I already have fusions in my lumbar spine along with Hunington Rods and Bars to stabilize my fractured spine. The fractured vertebraes were the beginning of this whole mess. Hopefully with God’s help and the help of an attorney I will one day get to have the fourth hip surgery and begin to get my life back together once again.

    Posted on February 19, 2009 at 4:11 pm

  • Patti says:

    I am turning 39 years old tomorrow. I had my first total hip replacement on my left hip at the age of 35, six months after i graduated nursing school. This hip has done really well. This was what i thought the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. So, i was able to go back to work as an RN 3 months later. Then about 6 months later I started having pain in my right hip, the pain was horrible so I knew there was a major problem. I saw my surgeon and of course he recomended another replacement. So in October 2007 I underwent another replacement. Immediately after surgery I knew something was different from the first surgery.
    The pain was worse, the therapy was worse, I immediately noticed my leg was noticeably longer than the left one. I kept calling my surgeon and he kept increasing my pain medicine. I struggled to walk everyday and the therapist told me at every session we are dong all we can your pain is normal. The pain was anything but normal. My therapist finally started taking measurments of my legs and confirmed what i already knew. The leg was over a half an inch longer. My surgeon still to this day will not admit the leg is longer. I travelled to Miami, Florida to see a back specialist, because he said my entire back is ruined because of the leg difference and also my right knee is in a strain because of the difference. I have to have lifts made for every pair of shoes I buy. I went back to work at the hospital about 6 months after this surgery. I was able to work the floor about 1 month 20 hours a week, when I was forced to give it up because i was unable to work because the pain was so bad. I was able to get a job (a lot less pay) where i am not on my feet as much. I am on chronic pain therapy now, and have taken so much pain medicine and ibuprophen (about six 800 mg tabs daily) that I have ulcers. My doctor continues to recommend that I file for disability. My pain that I thought could not get any worse has become absolutely unbearable. The hip is now moving around and causing it to feel unstable and painful, and the femur with every step I take feels like a knife going thru the bone. Now there is a large black and blue bruise that has came up right in the middle of my thigh and my doctor says my femur is going to break where the implant is in it. I can not afford to be off work to have more surgery because I am a single parent of two children. Im not really sure what to do at this point except keep going until the femur breaks or the hip totally dislocates. I am hoping something comes out of these lawsuits so maybe there will be help for me too.

    Posted on May 1, 2009 at 9:26 pm

  • Gordon says:

    I originally had the conserve hip in 2002. Since than I have had my left hip replaced two more times. The second time (2004) the upper cup came completely loose. The third time (2006) the metal stem in the conserve actually broke off. They replaced it with the traditional rod down the femor. Two years later after I was cleared to take a spin class “Bike riding”, which is very intense, I developed a large swollen area on my left hip. I now find out that I was alergic to the metal on metal implant and am having to look forward to a 4th surgery, to replace the metal on metal. I feel everyone should should be tested to an allergic reaction to metal on metal before it is inserted into your body. I am looking at the X3 polyethylene liner with a metal head. Has anyone had this type of procedure? I wish there was some accountability for the problems that arise out of negligence.

    Posted on August 26, 2009 at 1:29 pm

  • Paul says:

    I have 2 Stryker Tridents installed 7-07 & 1-08 and I Hurt all the time !!
    I am tring to get a mri on rt side to see whats wrong??

    Posted on March 5, 2010 at 6:46 pm

  • Gloria says:

    I had my right hip replaced in March 07 , It kept popping out, all i had to do was move my leg a little bit and it would pop out with a lot of pain. They had to replace that hip in May 07. The second one was better till the last 6 months,where i am in pain all the time. The Dr. says the pain is from my back. It doesn’t feel like its coming from my back.I can’t work,can’t walk much. I will not have the other hip replaced.I live in Canada so i don’t know if its the same company that made my hip.

    Posted on April 13, 2010 at 5:22 pm

  • DARREN says:

    I HAD MY HIP AND FEMUR REPLACEMENT 4YRS AGO IN THE NORTHEAST OF ENGLAND AND I MUST SAY I HAVE NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH MINE! I HAVE A LITTLE PAIN LIKE A PERMANANTLY DULL ACE WICH I EXPECT IS THE NORM DUE TOO THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I HAVE BIN CUT OPEN! I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALLS BUT AS IVE SAID I MUST BE LUCKY AS I FEEL MINE IS IN REAL GOOD WORKING ORDER I WAS 28 WHEN I GOT MINE DONE AND IM NOW 32 SO I GUESS I SHOULD KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED!! BUT I DO SYMPATHISE TOO ALL THOSE OUT THERE SUFFERING

    Posted on July 21, 2010 at 5:39 am

  • Emily says:

    I had my first hip replacement because of very bad pain in my right hip. I tried injections which only helped slightly. The complete hip replacement was done in 2004 on the right side. Thank God it has done well. I had the left hip replace in April 2010, it seems to be doing fine. However, I did not have pain in the left hip, just stiffness. The doctor replaced the hip because it was rubbing bone on bone. I was having a lot of pain in my left knee which was replaced 2 years ago and Doctor said the pain in knee would go away when the hip was fixed; it did not. Did not settle knee poblem at all except knee is stronger becase of hip therapy.

    Posted on August 27, 2010 at 10:09 am

  • Debbi says:

    I had both hips replaced in 2005 due to osteoarthritis; bone was rubbing against bone. This was very difficult to go through as I had major back surgery just 8 mos. before first hip replacement. (lumbar interbody fusion, with titaniam cage put in place) About 1 year after my right hip replacement it started to pop in and out of place, it was’nt painfull just ackward. I learned to live with it and did not get any tests done as I was afraid they would tell me I would have to replace it. Now I am experiencing severe pain on my left hip that shoots up into my buttocks it is really hard to walk. I dont know if it is coming from my hip. I recently lost my health insurance so I can’t afford the tests. With all the hip recalls I am starting to become alarmed ! How do I go about finding what hip replacments I recieved? Do I just contact the surgeon who performed the surgery? Would he give me this information? I would appreciate any help on this matter. I am reading all these stories and it’s really frightening!! Good luck to all of you.

    Posted on September 23, 2010 at 12:20 pm

  • Mona says:

    I broke my right hip in Feb. ’07 and had a Stryker replacement. So far, I’ve had minimal problems. Of course, at 76, you can expect minor, periodic aggravation. I got concerned when I heard about all the recalls, but so far, don’t think I’ll require one. Time will tell.

    Posted on October 1, 2010 at 11:50 am

  • jack says:

    which hip replacements have been recalled and up to what year. I just had a stryker total hip system may 2010. would welcome any information that anyone could give

    Posted on October 13, 2010 at 8:26 pm

  • June says:

    I am 77yrs old and had my firrst hip replacement in Feb 2004, no problem, In June 2007 I had my left hip replaced and it really bothered me as it felt like it was popping when I walked, it is fine now but I must admit a couple of times I have been in great pain but it seems to go back in place, I put this down to sitting wrong. When I went back for my check up I noticed in the X-ray that the left replacement was different to the right it had a spike looking thing on it, when I asked my doctor about it he said he preferred this hip replacement.. My son is worried about the metal ions in my blood.

    Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:29 pm

  • joan says:

    i had my left hip replaced i2006 and for about 6months ivv been having a lott of pain in it and walking all bent over . my doctoor haad me get a xrayy and he saiid my rigght hip needs replacing. and i need back suergy and that my back is caausing my hip pain for the lastt 2 dats im in so much pain i can hardly walk and im on vicdons morphone the genaric name is m s cotin.i take 60 millgrams thice a day plus 7.5vicdons the pain i unbeaarble .he said i need back and hip suergy.i jut cant go through those surgerys.but i cant take the pain. my hip replacement is striker joan

    Posted on October 19, 2010 at 11:06 pm

  • ann says:

    I had a total hip replacement in 2.09. After I started putting weight on it, my right leg began to hurt especically the groin area, and the big muscle in the from of my leg. When I have been sitting and go to stand up the pain is so horrific I break out in sweat. It takes a few steps to be able to walk, barely, I have problems with my back, I will probably undergo back surgery soon. I see a neuro surgeon next week. I know from all the tests, and there have been many, that the l3 nerve root is causing me grief, I hope the surgery can rid me of my pain. I really feel for all of these people that are writing. God bless you all, and I hope you can get relief.

    Posted on October 23, 2010 at 4:38 pm

  • Martina says:

    I had both my hips replaced at the same time in 1998 at 33 .It was a really tough time for me but i got through it .I had no problems untill 4 years later at my check up the plastic inside the socket had worn away but i had felt fine .Thank god i went for my check up as 1 month later i had to get a bilateral hip revision and i suffered a lot . I have never looked into anything but this is very interesting to know now about all the recalls .

    Posted on October 25, 2010 at 10:05 pm

  • Beth says:

    I am a 51 years old and I underwent my first hip replacement in march of 2001. I then underwent my second hip replacement in Sept of 2002. I started having alot of problems I felt as if the surgeon used a rock for my hip implant, kept going back to Doc but he kept saying there was nothing wrong. Went back again and said something is wrong I want it fixed. So I went in for revised hip surgery, they cut me open and found the problem,but said they had no parts to put back in me.They got the parts 9 days later and put them in, then I found out parts were not approved by fda.I still have unapproved parts.and a hip that still hurts,now I am finding out hip implants are recalled.need to know about the 2003 stryker hip recalls. Thank you.

    Posted on November 2, 2010 at 12:59 pm

  • Mike says:

    I had a total hip replacement on my left hip on April 13, 2010. Stryker Trident was used on my hip. I was told that I have osteoarthritis. So far it has been 7 months. Instead of getting better I am getting worse. I have been in Physical Therapy for more than 5 months. My minor pain and great discomfort is increasing now. I think there is something wrong. My doctor said that I should be back to dancing which is my favorite entertainment in three months after surgery. That didn’t happen because of getting worse. I asked my physical therapist to print a report of surgery for me. I have a copy with details of the parts installed. I sound like a computer now. I have been told that is normal. I can’t go back to normal and enjoy life any longer since this THR. I am now 66 years old. I lived very active life and went dancing at least twice a week. I have not done that for more than a year. THR is causing me depression. I am now stuck at home and go to physical therapy only. I traveled abroad often and I have not done so since 2009. I am going to call the doctor today to see him but like usually I will have to wait months before I get to see him. Good luck to all.

    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:59 am

  • sandra says:

    I am 54 years old and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in 2002, I was told I would need a hip replacement. In June of 2003 I had a bilateral hip replacement. I was fine after the surgery and about 2 years later I started to hear a SQUEAKING sound when I made certain movements. I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN AND CANNOT SIT OR STAND FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. i AM A STUDENT AND WHEN I AM IN CLASS IT FEELS LIKE MY LEGS ARE FALLING ASLEEP AND IT IS VERY PAINFUL. i HAVE TO GET UP OFTEN AND WALK TO ALEIVATE THE PAIN. I AM UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE I HAVE PROBLEMS SITTING AND STANDING FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. I HAVE NO INSURANCE AND BECAUSE IT IS PRE EX I WOULD HAVE PAY FOR ANY TREATMENT RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT. I AM ALSO BEING TOLD THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED IN 2003. WHAT AM I TO DO? I PRAY SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME. MY SQUEAKING IS WORSE IN THE WINTER AND ALSO VERY EMBARRASSING. I ALSO EXPERIENCE NUMBNESS IN BOTH LEGS AND MY FEET AT TIMES. MY DOCTOR WAS GREAT AND VERY NICE AND I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT HIM…I QUESTION THE PRODUCT USED IN THE REPLACEMENT.

    Posted on November 23, 2010 at 4:00 pm

  • Larry says:

    I had hip replacement in Feb. 2010, it is a Stryker Trident. It feels like it is coming out the side of my leg. I am in pain all the time. It has never felt right.

    Posted on November 25, 2010 at 10:25 pm

  • Brian says:

    I had my hip replaced Jan 26 2005 in Barrie Ontario at RVH.The doctor used the Stryker hip replacement. I have had problems since day one, but the doctor says that is normal with a hip replacement at a early age. I am 42 years old and had the hip replacement at the age of 36. The doctor says I need to have the cup replace again because I am having alot of pain with the front of my hip.How do I find out if the replacement I had 6 years ago is being recalled.What are my rights.I am going to lose alot of my pay at work again. Also lose my family time with my little girls while I recover again.I just want my life back without pain.I don’t what that is like.

    Posted on December 26, 2010 at 9:26 am

  • RICHARD says:

    I HAD MY HIP REPLACED 1-5-05 GOT INFECTION , SWELLING, GRINDING , SQUEAKING, AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BRAKE OUT THE SIDE OF MY LEG (BRIAN) GET A COPY OF THE HOSPITAL RECORDS IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT TYPE YOU HAVE……….I HAVE HAD 2 HIPS NOW BACK REPLACEMENT SURGERY …..I CAN’T FIND AN ATTORNEY. SOME DOCTORS KNEW THE INPLANTS WERE BAD BUT TOOK KICK-BACKS…….

    Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:00 pm

  • patricia says:

    I had a hip replacement surgery in 2009, I did therapy I exercise it everyday and I walk with a bad limp and I still cant bend over and it still feels like it is going to pop out. I have hurt so bad when I move a certain way I scream in pain. The doctor has done x-rays and says it is solid but something is wrong.

    Posted on February 13, 2011 at 8:22 pm

  • Diane says:

    In July 2009 I had a left THR with Stryker Trident for avascular necrosis of the hip joint. I was back to work in 8 weeks and to this day I don’t even know it’s there. I have no discomfort (so far). I exercise on the elliptical reguarly. I feel bad to read all of these posts with post-op THR pain and revision surgeries. The Stryker Trident hasn’t been recalled so maybe you need to go for second opinions. Continuing pain from this surgery is NOT normal. Good luck to all of you.

    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:14 pm

  • Teddy says:

    I don’t see how a recall has been made for a product that is sitting on a shelf producing an income for warehousing industry when we have individuals that this stryker trident products has been implanted into human bodies that suffers with extreme pain, squeaky noises, fractures and revision surgeries. The shelves that these products rest on feel no pain. I began to here the squeak around 2007/2008 but no pain was associated with it at that time. Had I known then that it was going to develop into it being a defective product, I would have taken the action then. Now I have to deal with pain, hip joint being sticking to point were I have to mentally and physically wiggle it back into position gently or it feels like it will protrude through my body. after reading the situations everyone above stories, I can see my story unfolding into what they have experianced already. My wife noticed the left side (stryker hip implant) of my hips and thigh much larger than my right side. My pelvis continuously hurts and noticabily larger which i fear a fracture is soon to follow if not already done so. If anyone have received a stryker trident him implant and do not have any of the complaints like any of the above people and myself, you are blessed or maybe you don’t have a squeaky, painful stryker hip implant.

    Posted on March 11, 2011 at 5:11 am

  • Debbie says:

    I had a total hip replacement in June of 2009. It was a stryker trident. I have had nothing but trouble with it. It is very painful in the groin and the femer. Hip doctor kept saying it was my back. I ended upo having 2 back surgeries and the problem has not gotten any better. My xrays looked good nothing was wrong, but it was. Finally the hip doctor sent me for a full body bone scan and sure enough ther is something wrong with the hip. So if anyone is having problems with there hip, ask your dr. for a full body bone scan. Now they are going to replace it. Everyone keeps telling me that the stryker trident recall ended in 2008 or so, therefore its really important for us that are having problems with the hip replacement after the recall to make sure and report it. They may end up recalliing the 2009 stryker trident as well.

    Posted on March 14, 2011 at 6:36 pm

  • Teri says:

    In May of 2005 I received a right THR at the age of 51. I was suffering extruciating pain due to degenerative arthirtis (bone on bone) prior to my surgery. After the surgery I was estatic that I was no longer in pain. However, after my yearly check-up about 3 yrs ago I mentioned that I was experiencing a squeaking noise when I walked. My orthorpedic surgeon told me the manufacturer (Stryker), along with scientists, doctors and related professionals cannot determine why this happens. I have found this annoying & embarrassing squeaking noise has been more predominant as years pass. My husband has noticed this squeak during intimate moments and what a mood killer that is. My family members tease me about getting oil can devise like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz. It is embarassing in the workplace (in what I call cubicle city) where it is quiet and co-workers can hear me walking around the office. I try to keep a sense of humor about the whole thing. I have no idea of my options or if this will cost me alot of money in the long run or cause future problems. I sincerely hope that there is a solution to this ongoing problem. I sympathize with others that are having more complications that me. Good luck to all.

    Posted on March 28, 2011 at 12:48 pm

  • CLARENCE says:

    MY WIFE HAD A HIP REPLACEMENT 2002 SHE FELL AND BROKE HER HIP IN 3 PLCES , SHE HAD A REPLACEMENT DONE AND NEVER COULD WALK GOOD AFTER THAT AND SHE WAS IN PAIN LOTS OF TIMES SHE PASSED AWAY IN 2004 AND I HAD HER CREMATED AND SAVED HER PARTS AND I DON;T SEE HOW THEY COULD WORK AS THE BALL DOSE NOT FIT IN THE SOCKET HOW DO YOU KNOW WHO MADE THE PARTS AS THERE IS NO MARKINGS ON THE PARTS

    Posted on March 30, 2011 at 4:38 pm

  • Diane says:

    Clarence, get a copy of the hospital records. In those records will be the serial numbers and other information related to the prothesis. There is a serial number for each of the components that were used. Hope this helps. Good luck!

    Posted on May 14, 2011 at 9:05 am

  • Anita says:

    I had my right hip replaced in April 2008 with a Stryker hip. After surgery, I kept complaining that I could not do a leg lift with that leg. The Dr. and therapist told me to keep on with therapy, as sometimes it takes quite awhile to get better. After about 2 and a half years, I started “clunking” and squeaking, and I also feel some grinding. I am not in any pain, however, I still walk with a limp, and I can not walk very far without feeling fatigued. Now the Dr. says my abductor muscle is not attached, and after 31/2 years it has atrophied and there is only a 20% chance at best that it could be reattached. They also say that because I have a ceramic on ceramic hip that is why I make all the noise. OF course, they do not know the long term effects of this either. I am not thrilled with the odds of reattaching the muscle, and I dont have a lot of confidence in these Drs. either. I have now seen 4 Drs. They did say that I would have to be off my leg for about 3 mos. if I did choose to have it tried. Again, I am thankful I am not in pain, but the limping does effect my back when I walk. Thank goodness for the Chiropractor!! He has helped that at least.

    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:23 pm

  • Chris says:

    The following is a story of a living nightmare: My mother went into surgery on May 22, 2006 for a hip replacement. She was having an older implant, from 1984, replaced. The older implant had served her well, but it was time for a new one. It was “5 1/2” hours later that the doctor finally came out to us. The first words out of his mouth: “God! What a mess!” Evidently, during surgery, he broke my mother’s pelvis and femor. Subsequently, she had to undergo another 3 hours worth of surgery to repair the femor. Over the course of the next year and a half, she struggled to walk, her right leg now more than an inch shorter than her left, not to mention burdened by chronic pain from the hip.
    In 2007, she began to notice a painful lump developing in the area of the new implant. Concerned that it may be some sort of an abscess,she was initially seen by a vascular surgeon—and a culture was taken. The results proved that she was now suffering from a
    Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) infection, which was
    tunneling directly from the newly-implanted hip—or “hardware”, towards the surface of the skin—resulting in the formation of the lump.
    Since this diagnosis, doctors have conducted a score of surgical
    outpatient procedures on my mother—which have included surgically
    opening the infectious tunnel and cutting down to the implant, while
    placing her on an ever-increasing regimen of powerful antibiotics,
    which she has had to take both orally, as well as intravenously with
    the aid of a nurse, who comes daily. She has also been forced to
    periodically use a “wound vac”, an instrument that basically attempts
    to extract the infection.
    Unfortunately, all efforts have proved to be futile and it’s been
    determined by the doctors that my mother’s infection can only be
    “treated”—but never “cured”. Upon this news, I began to do some
    investigating of my own, curious as to whether there might be others
    suffering from the same or similar problem. During that process, I
    was amazed to find that there has actually been a “recall” of specific
    “Stryker Howmedica” hip implants, among others.
    My initial fear, of course, after learning this news, was, “Does my
    mother have one of these implants?” To find out, I had her make an
    immediate request for copies of the hospital’s medical (surgical)
    report, which describes her surgery in detail—and includes, among
    other things, a listing of all the brand names of the components of
    the implant. In reading over the entire report thoroughly, I was outraged to discover that there are, in fact, SEVERAL
    recalled Stryker Howmedica components—listed in her report—that
    actually had been used in her implant—and, that a good portion of them have descriptions and catalog numbers that “match” the brand name, descriptions and catalog numbers which are listed in the FDA
    Medical Device Recall website!
    Furthermore, from my research, I’ve learned that the FDA—after conducting at least two separate inspections of the Stryker manufacturing facilities—not only found poor construction, but—and I quote, “Clumps and clusters of Staph” in their packaging departments. Warned by the FDA that something needed to be done, Stryker allegedly sent out a blanket of letters to hospitals, orthopaedic surgeons and agents regarding the bad implants. According to the FDA, these letters were supposedly sent out by Stryker in March of 2006—TWO MONTHS “BEFORE” MY MOTHER’S SURGERY!!! Although the recall may have taken place “after” her surgery, does that in any way justify the obvious negligence by Stryker? But what can we do?
    Until the 2006 surgery for her newimplant, my mother had been a vital, independent, socially active, physically and mentally energetic woman; a real match for any woman 20 years her junior. But, because of this hip replacement, the quality of her life over the past few years has been greatly diminished, with the better part of her time spent either juggling doctors appointments, undergoing one surgical procedure after another with no end in sight, subsequent daily dressings by a flock of various registered nurses—as well as having to endure tremendous daily dosages of extremely powerful antibiotics. Although there is no other type of treatment, she’s been warned that the prolonged use of antibiotics, in itself, can do quite a bit of damage, including the destruction of the immune system. So, by way of hip implant surgery, my mother, in essence, has basically been given a death sentence.

    A few other points worthy of mention about my mother’s situation are:

    * It has been determined by a number of various physicians and
    surgeons that, because of her now frail health, the option of
    replacing this defective hip is out of the question as they fear she
    would not survive the surgery. And, even if she could—which would
    mean the extraction of this bad hip, a 3-month waiting period during
    which time she would have to live with “no” hip, followed by the
    subsequent implant of a new hip, they’ve concluded that the new hip
    would most likely fall victim to the same Staph infection, which has
    now invaded her bone tissue.

    * According to the information I’ve been able to find, upon the FDA’s
    warnings after their investigation of Stryker, Stryker was supposed
    to send urgent notices to all hospitals, clinics and orthopedic
    surgeons regarding the recall. I’m not saying that Stryker didn’t
    follow through with this order. However, why hasn’t a single surgeon,
    physician, or nurse, (she has been seeing up to 6 doctors of differing
    capacities since the diagnosis of the infection), made even the
    slightest mention of this implant recall? If I hadn’t simply accessed
    the internet myself one afternoon, we may have never known “anything” about the recall of the implant.

    * Because of her circumstances due to the implant, my mother, in some form or fashion, already requires constant care, and will for the
    remainder of her years. Care that, as time moves forward and the
    problem only worsens, will not be affordable.

    * Due to my mother’s advanced age, we haven’t been able to find ANYONE to advise or assist us in the legal aspect of this nightmare. After numerous attempts to find SOMEONE who would be willing to fight for her rights—not just as a consumer—but as a human being, it seems we’re left with nothing.

    These points just scratch the surface of what my mother and family have been going through as a result of the careless negligence from various levels. If you or someone you know is going to have an implant—of ANY KIND—research it first, thoroughly and tirelessly. We as consumers—and, unfortunately, as patients, are no longer safe.

    Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:44 pm

  • Kevin says:

    I had my right hip replaced in September 2011 with a Stryker hip and at the sametime they put a bone graph in to build up my bone stucture. I was still in pain 2 months later in the growing area and the graphed area. I was also having problems when I would bend over and come back up something was catching on tissue or something but it was bad pain. Come to find out the two screws backed out of the graph and that was what was catching. I had to have another surgery and they took the two screws out but the graph had bonded so he said he left it in even though he said I did not need it now that was in May of 2011. We thought that would take away the pain and it has not. It is now November 2011 and I still have pain . I sit and when I get up and get going it is very painful. I have pain in the growing area and on the right side where they put the graph. I have a very hard time going up the stairs .I have missed alot of work and my family is suffering now because I cannot fulfill my obligation as the head of the house hold and has kill my saving. I am 45 years old and have alot of potential still if I could just get this thing fixed. Thanks for listing to a very frustrated man.

    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:01 pm

  • kathy says:

    Chris my mother has just gone through almost exactly your mothers experience. After falling in 2005 and breaking her femur bone in 5 places, they put a rod into the femur. Over the next year or two, her hip wore out and needed to be replaced. After the first surgery, she was always in pain. Constant pain pills, PT and nothing seemed to help the pain. After maybe 6 months after the hip replacement surgery, she developed over night a huge boil type thing on her scar. Within a day or so it started leaking YELLOW fluid. I called the doctor and they scheduled her for surgery to “clean out the hip” The Infectious Disease doctor said she had a Staph Infection so she was on 6-8 weeks of IV antibiotics through a pic line. Than we were told she would have to take oral antibiotics for the rest of her life. After maybe a year, the boil type thing popped up again. This time she was in the hospital for a full month for a weekly Cleaning of the hip. Than back to IV antibiotics and PT, still having continuous pain. After the next boil came back again, I asked the Surgeon if this was a hip that I had heard about on TV being defective, he said nope it was a Stryker not the kind they were talking about. I felt good about that! After the last time (4th) the boil came back he finally agreed to take it all out and put in an antibiotic spacer for 6 months to try to get rid of the infection. After she was infection free for 3 months, a new hip was put in. We are 4 months into the new hip now. Hopefully this ordeal is over for my mother. It has been a long hard road that I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy!

    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm

  • KAY says:

    May I express my sincere distress at reading of the sad experiences of so many hip replacement patients.

    I too have received a Stryker total hip replacement which I am told is an Exeter V 40 femoral system, and femoral head, with an Exeter Contemporary Flanged Cup.

    I do not know whether is Exeter system is metal on metal or not. To date this has been very successful, but for how long is this good fortune going to last?

    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 9:43 am

  • Kenneth says:

    I had my 1st Hip implant on my right hip on 11/29/2004 anything was fine until 2004 and I finally had to go to the hospital because I was hurting so bad and I had to have surgery again on 7/13/2010 because I had an infection in my hip the doctor replaced the plastic piece and cleaned out the infection and put me on IV antibiotics for about 3 months. I never stopped hurting after that surgery it got so bad that I was going to a pain management doctor, then I went to several medical centers and then finally I called the doctor back that did my surgery and he referred me to a specialist and he said that I had a bad infection in my hip and I had to have surgery again on 3/28/2012 to clean out the infection and put a cement spacer with antibiotics and I am now on IV antibiotics every 4 hours 24/7 until the infection is gone. I went to the doctor on 4/16 and the doctor said it could be anywhere from 3 to 6 months before I can have another hip put in. They are unsure what is causing the infections.

    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 5:56 pm

  • sandra says:

    had stryker hip implant in 2009–right after i woke up i knew something was wrong;;i told my family dr. who came to see me;;something is wrong;;i felt like i only came half way out of anthestesia (msp);;when i did finally get up to walk my left side was so heavy i could hardly lift my leg;;i felt like i had a stroke;;i couldn;t go home went to nursing home for a month;;i was only 57 at the time;;the whole time there in a extreme fog like state;;and three years later still experiencing severe light headedness and nausea;;could it be toxcity;;i am going to my family dr and asking him to order blood test;;i am not experiencing pain in groin again in hip still have a dent in hip area and if i move leg another way like side ways or any way other that regular i get severe muscle spasm all the way down my let and my toes are severely stiff;;i also developed diabetes 2 this year;;had to have extensive back surgery with fusion of 2 3 4 5 vertebres (msp) and a rod put in;;i feel the rod it sends nerve pain down my spine told my dr who said oh u can’t feel it???really don’t see him anymore;;i am now disabled;;can’t do much except go from bed to chair due to pain in hip and muscle around back;;very discouraging;;i just want the nausea and lightheadedness to go away;;had all test;;heart;;ears;;eyes no answer;;anyone experiencing my symptoms??

    Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:11 pm

  • christine says:

    i had a styrker trident acetabular cupp (total hip replacement) in dec. of 2004, after 2 unsuccesful arthroscopies. i woke up from the surgery with severe grion pain and unable to lift the leg. it never improved. the surgeon consistently stated \”there is nothing wrong with the hip\” and suggested a pain clinic, injection ect. i am still in excruciating pain and on high doses of narcotics to function. i had an ultrasound a couple years after the replacement that showed psoas and trochanteric bursitis with fluid in the joint also. he couldnt explain this but i knew it was not normal. now we are hearing about this recall and i expect to see a different orthopedic surgeon to be evaluated. i have lost several years of a normal painfree life and basically unable to perform daily activities now.

    Posted on November 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm

  • cheryl says:

    I had a stryker trident psl total hip replacement in 2009 for my left hip and in 2010 for my right hip. My quality of life consists of dr. appts,xrays,and mri’s and I am still being told there is nothing wrong. The swelling in my right hip is so noticable that it is literally one pant size bigger than my left hip. I think the general population thinks that we are making are problems up to get a big payday from the company. I am on disablity now which is a minor blessing considering no one would hire me with all of my limitations I have now. I once had a good career as management for the worlds largest retailer. Now I can barely pay for essentials. Good luck to you all. Don’t give up. We all can’t be faking it.

    Posted on March 2, 2013 at 2:48 pm

  • jose says:

    I amaz that any doctor would use a highly toxic material like Cobalt and chromauin, close enough, to used as part of hip re-plcaement , the orthor doctor don’t explain of the dangerous effect if thie man made medal get into your bood stream and then organs, i guess then you die of organ failure, all because of a simple HRP, sad deal.

    Posted on March 15, 2013 at 11:35 pm

  • Vince says:

    I had to have a hip replacement in October of 2003. My Doctor recommended the Stryker Ceramic on Ceramic new product that was supposed to never wear out.
    Right after the surgery I had complications.
    I continued to complain to the doctor of pain and popping in and out loud enough to hear in a room. He continued to say after x rays that it was well fitted.
    Finally after a decade of pain, suffering, atrophy of my leg muscles and the inability to walk with out aid devices I went to another surgeon that told me that the ball and joint wear not fitted and not moving properly .
    I am going in to have revision surgery in about 20 days.
    The pain and loss of my favorite activities has left me very depressed and i am hoping this revision will give me a new pain free life

    Posted on May 20, 2013 at 3:23 pm

  • JOSE says:

    I’m starting to understand the relation in hip replacement and lower back sever pain it’s very stressful all day, never leave the brain,also a secret the worst part as soon as you tell them ,well i have this Stryker iplant put in 10-06-10, the speaclize want brush you off,or pass you around inpainnn, the driving starting to bother me ,especilly when i go over speed bump.lately , i’m feeling burning in stomach and the other burning left thigh is tell go to bed nowwww, anyway 2 problem hip pain in and around plus old man walking , only 53, ran from 3 5 k race plus 2 26 mile race ,back in my 30,the most diffucult part is that i found out , if the surgeon want to really fix you up ,he can, if he is very good, i see some playing god, not right.

    Posted on November 2, 2013 at 2:46 am

  • ken says:

    i had osteoarthoritis in my rigtht hip with sever pain in the groin area and hip area.i had a tridentcup/secure fit plus max femoral hip stem,hip replacement 9/8/2011.there has been pain and aching in the troycantor area as well as pain in the right glute. i take 3 oxcycodon a day and it dulls the pain but i have severe itching from the opioid. i have had a second opionion from a different dr.and he said all looks good.have had 2 bouts of pt which just caused more pain and the hip joint clunks when i try to use a stair stepper machine for excersize.i am now starting ot and after 2 sessions it just hurts more also.i am turning 65 in dec 2013. dont think i will ever let any dr stick a knife in me again. i will just live with the pain.although now my right knee is poping all the time. i think because of the whats going on in the hip situation.mine is an landi case.

    Posted on November 25, 2013 at 4:07 pm

  • shakietra says:

    I have to screw pinn looking things on both sides of my hips I had the surgery done in 2008 I believe not sure need to get my records but maybe a year after having them or less I was constantly complaining to the doctor that did the surgery . I complain about horrible pain popping sounds and skretching sometimes I can’t get out of bed like my legs have locked up on me pain when I walk swelling around the area of the scars from surgery and so on my doctor constantly ignored saying maybe I need to lose weight and I will grow into them. I started going to therapy it didn’t help. I have just been living with this pain every since and it’s horrible. Now I’m seeing this recall on TV everywhere. I contacted my doctor office that did the surgery to get records because i dont know what kind of surgery it was or what’s the name of the things I have in my hips. My doctor office said they can’t find my file so now I have to try to go to main hospital and recover it…

    Posted on March 16, 2014 at 10:56 pm

  • Ken says:

    In Dec. – 11- 2009 I had full right hip replaced, the Doctor was pounding so hard on my hip to position the Shell in the acetabelum that I woke up I looked down at the Doctor and said Doctor how long are you going to be he replied am I hurting you I replied no but your hammering so hard I am going to end up on the floor. How long before your finished he replied about 30 to 40 min. I said put me back under. After the operation I was in continual pain I couldn’t return to work or do anything of a social type. My hip was swelling my groin was all red with blisters and my glands were swelling as well. I traced the glands right back to the hip replacement. I have since got a lot of information off of Google and sites like this. I am hoping that I can get some redress for my financial loss and pain and suffering.

    Posted on July 7, 2014 at 4:21 pm

  • Ken says:

    My hip surgery was Dec.-11-2009 the pain out of the starting gate was very bad I was put on prescribed medication along with epidural s from a pain specialist. In 2013 I finally got so depressed I asked my Doctor to have my blood tested for Chromium and Cobalt My Doctor informed me that I have fatal levels in my blood that I would have to have revision surgery to correct the problem. Awaiting results of MRI to continue.

    Posted on December 6, 2014 at 6:41 pm

  • perren says:

    I have the same problem you have now I don’t have now hip joint they replaced my with a griddle stone now and it shorten my leg 2-3 inches now I can not have anymore surgery because my hip is deteriorated real bad

    Posted on May 11, 2015 at 10:12 am

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