Stryker Corporation, a major medical device manufacturer, has been reprimanded for the second time by the FDA for serious safety issues involving the company’s hip implants, joint replacement components, and other devices. An FDA investigation earlier this year revealed careless manufacturing and quality control practices are at the root of formal complaints from injured patients. This blatant disregard for the health and safety of patients is entirely unacceptable, which is why the Arizona product liability and defective medical device attorneys at Phillips Law Group are dedicated to helping injured victims obtain compensation from Stryker Corporation.
Patient Complaints
Over the past two years patients who have received defective hip and joint replacements from Stryker have made complaints claiming the following:
- Bone fractures and broken bones
- Component breakage and chipping
- Uneven component wear
- Squeaky or noisy hip implants
- Pain and discomfort
- Difficulty walking
Many patients have had to undergo revisional surgeries to repair damage caused by the defective implants.
As the FDA learned in their investigation of the Stryker manufacturing facility, these complications are the direct result of faulty hip implants and joint replacement components manufactured by the company. While Stryker has claimed to the FDA that these complaints and all issues with their manufacturing facility have been addressed, the FDAs latest investigation revealed that, in fact, the issues had yet to be resolved.
FDA Investigation and Findings
During the FDAs initial investigation of the Stryker manufacturing facility in 2007, inspectors discovered a series of problems compromising the quality of Strykers hip and joint implants. In addition to manufacturing and quality control inconsistencies, inspectors also found that the facility is contaminated with dangerous Staph bacteria.
Bacterial Contamination at the Stryker Plant
The discovery of staphylococcus bacteria throughout the company’s orthopedics manufacturing facility is one of the most frightening FDA findings made during the investigation. Any manufactured components contaminated with this type of bacteria could cause serious and even fatal infections after implantation. Despite the severe risk the contamination poses to patients health, Stryker has still failed to discover the source of the bacteria and has yet to sufficiently decontaminate the facility. If you or a loved one has developed a Staph infection after hip or joint replacement surgery with Stryker medical devices, contact our product liability attorneys in Arizona today to see if you have a viable case.
Defective Stryker Medical Devices
The FDA investigation specifically named the following Stryker products as problematic. These products were found to contain manufacturing defects that are potentially harmful to hip and joint replacement patients:
- Trident PSL HA Solid Black 52 MM
- ReUnion Plasma Spray Humeral Stem
- Solar Plasma Purefix HA Shoulder Stems
- Trident PSL Acetabular Shells
- Duracon Total Knee Modular Femoral Component
- Global Modular Hip Stems
- Trident Hemispherical Cluster 50 MM
- Hip Implants with ceramic components
Hip and Joint Implant Complications
If you or a loved one is experiencing the following complications after hip replacement surgery or another type of joint replacement surgery involving Stryker implants, contact a product liability lawyer with Phillips Law Group in Arizona today.
- Pain at the site of the implant
- Difficulty walking and/or articulating the replaced joint
- Broken or fractured bones at the site of the implant
- Squeaking or grinding sound from the replaced joint
- Staph infection after implant surgery
If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, our attorneys want to help you if you have been injured by a defective Stryker hip or joint implant. Our lawyers are skilled in defective medical device litigation and can help you pursue compensation for your suffering and medical costs. Contact Phillips Law Group to schedule your free consultation with an experienced lawyer today.