For patients who have received a hip replacement, the outcome expected may be to move easier and without pain. For the recipients of a Stryker ABG II or Rejuvenate hip implant, however, the new outcome may be a settlement of $300,000. The Stryker implants were documented to cause corrosion, illness, pain and swelling, and even metal debris found in victims’ blood. They were recalled in 2012.

It was less than a year ago – just before Thanksgiving Day of 2013 – that company director Rhonda Stryker, granddaughter of the company's founder, sold 14,000 shares of her company stock. This happened just as a number of Stryker hip lawsuits were moving forward – and shortly after her company was required to pay over $13 million in order to settle charges by the federal government over allegations of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It was predicted at that time that Stryker hip lawsuits would cost her firm up to $1 billion.

Coincidence?

Just before Thanksgiving Day, company director Rhonda Stryker – granddaughter of founder Dr. Homer Stryker – unloaded 14,000 shares of her own stock to the tune of more than $1.04 million. Of course, she still holds $12.3 million in company stock, and her own net worth – like those of her siblings – is in the billions. $1 million in comparison is pocket change. While there was nothing illegal or even unethical about it, given what is going on Stryker lawsuits and other company woes, one must wonder about the timing.

For a long time, the four manufacturers of hip and joint replacements that controlled 75% of the market were laughing all the way to the bank.  These four companies – Stryker, Biomet, Du Puy and Zimmer – have been beneficiaries of a dysfunctional health care “system” that has no financial interest in healing patients.