For a woman who was doing handstands at 70, a faulty hip has devastated Shoalhaven Heads resident Yvonne Stuart.
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The 76-year-old had her first hip replacement in 2010 but in 2014 received a letter from American company Stryker Corporation, informing her the hip may cause serious medical issues.
In 2012, the Stryker Corporation recalled two of its artificial hip implant systems — the Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems. The company stopped all global sales of these components.
“They’ve admitted liability but they’ve only paid out the victims in America,” Mrs Stuart said.
Mrs Stuart has started a support group for people with these hip replacements, with five people local people already joined.
A case for the Australian victims will be put in place if she can find between 25 and 50 people with the model both locally and Australia-wide.
“We don’t have to prove the case, they’ve already admitted liabilty,” she said.
“I want them to realise they can’t get away with this.”
Mrs Stuart said the hip caused corrosion and “fretting,” allowing minute shards of its metallic components to leach into her bloodstream.
“The metal latches on to the organs in the body, the main ones being the heart, liver and it causes tissue damage,” Mrs Stuart said.
“The symptoms also included horrendous tinnitus, lost coordination, extremely high blood pressure to the point where I had to visit the hospital and I lost coordination so much that I had to give away dancing and I was a founding member of the Shoalhaven Shufflers.”
Mrs Stuart had a second hip replacement last year but said the stress caused by the original has affected her whole life.
“It’s a bit like having a cancer and not knowing what’s coming next,” she said.
“We can’t get those those last two years back but I want closure and I want Stryker to do the right thing.
- -Yvonne Stuart
“I have got no confidence now, i’m emotionally unstable and it makes it difficult to go out without my husband.”
A holiday planned to see her 70-year-old brother had to be put on hold, with Mrs Stuart losing money.
“I couldn’t get an excess of $4,500 back and Stryker offered me $5000 if I signed a waiver saying I would want no more,” she said.
“I feel they’re trying to buy us off but I’m going to fight and I’m going to win.”
While monetary compensation would be appreciated, Mrs Stuart said above all, she’s looking for recognition.
“We can’t get those those last two years back but I want closure and I want Stryker to do the right thing.”
Anyone who has had the ABG 11 or Rejuvenate model can contact Yvonne on 0429837738, treehaus@acr.net.au or www.hipsupportgroup.com.au
