A North Carolina woman filed a Stryker metal hip replacement lawsuit against medical device manufacturer Howmedica, becoming part of a larger metal hip replacement multidistrict litigation.

Plaintiff Nelda Boswell Futrell was implanted with an ABG II Modular hip stem on Feb. 9, 2012 in her right hip. A year later in July, Futrell allegedly had an issue with the metal hip implant product requiring immediate removal, her metal hip replacement complications lawsuit said.

In addition to suffering serious injury, Futrell also alleges that the problems with the Stryker hip implant and the subsequent removal resulted in economic injury and loss of income through limited earning capacity. Nelda’s husband also claimed loss of consortium and loss of services as a result of his wife’s metal hip complications.

The hip implant lawsuit accuses Howmedica, the Stryker Hip Replacement System manufacturer, of negligence, strict product liability, breach of implied and express warranty, violation of Minnesota Deceptive Acts and Practices, violation of Consumer Fraud laws, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and other counts.

The Stryker Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit is Futrell v. Howmedica Osteonics et al., Case No. 0:14-cv-03418-DWF-FLN, in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. The Stryker Metal Hip Replacement Multidistrict Litigation is In re: Stryker Rejuvenate an ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 13-2441, in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.

History of Stryker Metal Hip Replacements

The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants are uniquely designed medical devices that have distinguished themselves from similar products on the hip implant market. Traditional hip implants have a single femoral component that is able to attach to the surrounding tissue and ligature. However, the Stryker Rejuvenate and the ABG II have a modular neck stem instead, which has adjustable pieces allowing for variations in femoral component length in each surgical patient.

While 15 to 20 years is the typical longevity of a metal hip implant, the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants allegedly begin to corrode and fail after about two years post hip replacement surgery.

The metal hips were recalled by Stryker in 2012 because metal debris can be released inside a recipient’s body from the parts rubbing together.

As a result of the possible side effects and complications resulting from a failed hip implant and resulting hip implant removal surgery, many consumers have filed Stryker metal hip implant lawsuits or are joining Stryker metal on metal hip implant class action lawsuits.