Stryker’s STAR Ankle Replacement has been linked to high rates of failure due to a plastic component breaking, which may occur within 3 to 4 years and require surgery to fix.
Need a Texas STAR Ankle Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one needed surgery when a STAR Ankle Replacement broke or fractured, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
FDA Issues Warning for Broken STAR Ankle Replacements
On March 15, 2021, the FDA issued a Safety Warning about high failure rates with Stryker’s Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (“STAR Ankle”).
Symptoms of STAR Ankle Replacement Failure
- Severe pain
- Unable to walk
- Instability
- Unable to put weight on the ankle
- Loosening of the implant
- Grinding or other noises in the ankle
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
What is the STAR Ankle?
Stryker’s STAR Ankle is a prosthetic joint that has been on the market in the U.S. since 2009. It is used to replace painful ankle joints in patients with arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the Problem?
When the STAR Ankle was approved in 2009, the manufacturer was required to complete an 8-year safety study. Unfortunately, the study found that a plastic part broke in 13.8% of patients (12 out of 87 patients). All of those patients had to have surgery to replace the joint.
FDA Believes STAR Ankle Failure Rate May Be Higher
The FDA found about 300 reports of the STAR Ankle’s plastic component breaking. Some fractures occurred as early as 3 to 4 years after implantation. In addition, the FDA found 72 reports of broken plastic components in patients who had surgery to remove their STAR Ankle.
What Patients Have Higher Risk of STAR Ankle Fractures?
High-risk patients for STAR Ankle fractures include:
- Patients with more active lifestyles
- Patients with osteoarthritis
- Patients who are under 55 years old
- Patents with thinner (6-mm) plastic components in their STAR Ankle
Total Ankle Replacement Surgery
Surgery for a total ankle replacement involves completely removing an arthritic, damaged ankle joint and replacing it with a prosthetic device, or “artificial joint.” This is a common surgery in people with severe arthritis, which is a painful condition where the soft cartilage in a joint wears away and the bones grind together.
Risks of Having Another Ankle Replacement Surgery
When a STAR Ankle Replacement fails or breaks, patients may need another surgery to repair or replace it. As with all surgeries, there is a risk of severe side effects, such as:
- Infection
- Permanent nerve injury
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Limp or problems walking
- Bones failing to align or join together properly
- Worsening of pre-existing arthritis
- Limited mobility
- Long-term pain
Need a STAR Ankle Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: