Stryker sales have shown a definite dip in the quart since the recall of
the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implants in July. The hip implant recall
came just months after Stryker issued an Urgent Field Safety Notice to
hospitals and physicians in April of 2012 citing the potential of fretting and
corrosion at the neck juncture as well as the risk of metal ion release.
Stryker’s hip implant sales dropped nearly 10 percent while its knee implant
sales dropped 4.3 percent.
Why the Dip in Revenues?
A Stryker company official stated the recalls of the Rejuvenate and ABGII
had only a “modest impact” on the company’s third quarter drop in sales. While
the recalls certainly would have impacted Stryker’s revenues, the overall
economy may also have played a part. Joint replacement surgical procedures are
considered elective most of the time. Those with insurance may delay the
surgery to avoid missing work while those without insurance likely cannot
afford the procedure. Stryker’s CFO, Curt Hartman also stepped down after two
decades at the helm. He reportedly received a 1.5 million dollar separation
package although he will remain as an adviser to Stryker through February,
2013.
New Design an Improvement Over Metal-on-Metal
Implants?
Metal-on-metal hip implants have been responsible for scores of side
effects among recipients. The Rejuvenate garnered FDA approval in 2008 and the
ABGII in 2009 and were believed to be not only safer than the all-metal
implants but the design was innovative in that the stem and neck were separate
parts and were manufactured in a variety of sizes. The surgeon could choose the
best size according to the size and activity level of the patient. Because the
ball of the Stryker models was ceramic and plastic lined the acetabular cup, it
was assumed there would be no metal-on-metal parts rubbing against one another,
resulting in metal ions shearing away into the body.
Risk of Metal Ion Release
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