On behalf of Weisman, Kennedy & Berris Co., L.P.A. posted in Products Liability on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

Medical technology firm Stryker is a company that seems to go into the fire and then, well, into the fire again.

Although some people might regard that as a harsh assessment, the facts surrounding the company point centrally to its protracted involvement in product liability litigation across multiple fronts.

This blog has duly reported on material developments as they arise regarding a veritable flood of lawsuits against Stryker alleging myriad injuries from plaintiffs across the country, including in Ohio, who have used the company’s Rejuvenate hip implant. Our most recent piece discussing the litigation noted the several hundred lawsuits proceeding nationally in both state and federal courts, as well as several cases that recently settled via mediation in New Jersey (please see our December 27, 2013, entry).

Now, reportedly, there is a growing concern with another Stryker product, namely, the company’s ShapeMatch Cutting Guide, which is used in knee-implant surgeries.

As described by a recent media article discussing the Cutting Guide, the tool is used by surgeons in knee replacement operations “to position the implant components and guide bone marking prior to cutting the bone.”

Apparently, there have been some problems noted with its performance, including the tool being out of sync with doctors entering surgical parameters prior to cutting bone.

Aside from pain- and mobility-related issues, some patients on whom the guide is used could ultimately require revision surgery. As has been noted in the hip implant litigation, that can be more expensive, detailed and painful than an initial operation.

As for the hip implant litigation, it continues, with strong plaintiff momentum across the country. We will keep readers timely apprised of material updates as they surface.

Source: LawyersandSettlements.com, “As Stryker lawsuits are settled, concerns raised about ShapeMatch Cutting Guide,” Heidi Turner, Jan. 15, 2014