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Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement Lawsuit

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Hundreds of patients implanted with certain Stryker STAR Ankle Replacements may have suffered injuries and complications related to broken polyethylene bearings. Filing a Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement Lawsuit could allow these individuals to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages related to their injuries.

Contact a Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement Lawyer Today

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is offering free legal reviews to anyone who was implanted with Stryker’s STAR ankle system through July 2019 and subsequently experienced failure of the device due to a broken polyethene bearing.

To discuss your potential case with an experienced Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement Lawyer, please fill out the form on this page or call our office directly at (888) 994-5118.

Stryker STAR Ankle Replacements: What’s the Problem?

The Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement System consists of a:

• Talar Component: Covers up the talus or lower bone of the ankle joint.
• Tibial Plate: Covers up the bottom of the tibia (shinbone).
• Mobile Bearing: Made from a medical-grade plastic called polyethylene, the bearing is designed to move in between the metal parts whenever the ankle moves.

Unlike other total ankle replacement systems, the STAR Ankle Replacement features a mobile bearing (rather than fixed) and does not require the use of bone cement to hold the components in place.

In October 2019, however, Stryker warned that patients with STAR Ankle Replacements distributed before August 2014 should be closely monitored for broken bearings. According to the company, these particular devices may be prone to polyethylene oxidation, either before or after implantation.

Other factors that could contribute to broken bearings include component malalignment, surgeon learning curve, and reduced insert thickness.

Stryker apparently identified a 13.79% polyethylene fracture rate at the eight-year follow-up in a post-approval study. More than 100 reports of STAR Ankle Replacement polyethylene fractures have also been reported to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

What Should STAR Ankle Replacement Patients Know?

The Stryker STAR Ankle Replacements affected by this issue were distributed prior to August 2014. However, because the devices have a shelf-life of about five years, they could have been implanted in patients as recently as July 2019.

Symptoms of a STAR Ankle Replacement fracture may be subtle and initially go unnoticed. Patients should alert their doctors if they experience:

• Increased pain.
• Inability to bear weight on the affected ankle.
• Onset of grinding or other noises in the operated ankle.
• Worsening instability in the replaced ankle.

Potential risks associated with a broken polyethylene bearing include:

• Significant pain that’s newly developed and/or persistent over a long period of time.
• Inflammatory response, newly developed and/or persistent over a long period of time.
• Blistering and other soft tissue injuries
• Loss of mobility in the affected ankle.
• Possible damage to the ankle’s metal components, resulting in revision surgery to replace the entire STAR ankle system.

Anyone experiencing problems with a Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement should undergo a detailed examination, including x-rays, to determine if all components are working as designed. However, CAT scans and other specialized imaging studies may be needed to determine if the polyethylene bearing has fractured.

How to File a Stryker STAR Ankle Replacement Lawsuit

You may be entitled to significant financial damages if you suffered injuries, complications, or were forced to undergo revision surgery because of a STAR Ankle Replacement bearing fracture.

If you’re interested in filing a STAR Ankle Replacement Lawsuit, you can obtain a free, no-obligation case review by filling the form on this page, or by contacting our medical device attorneys directly at (888) 994-5118 for free.