Stryker Corporation and subsidiary Howmedica are facing a new product liability claim, alleging the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head component in their metal hip implant caused the need for revision surgery.

Pennsylvania plaintiff Mary S. had reportedly opted to get the metal-on-metal hip implant with the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head component, after reviewing advertisements and marketing materials from the company. Furthermore, Mary’s orthopedic surgeon recommended the metal hip implant allegedly after reviewing materials provided by Stryker and Howmedica.

According to the Stryker metal hip lawsuit, Mary had the prosthetic containing the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head component implanted in her right hip on Feb. 1, 2010. While Mary had no immediate adverse side effects after the procedure, she says she eventually started experiencing painful symptoms.

Eventually the pain became so debilitating that Mary underwent revision surgery to get the device removed on Aug. 1, 2017, around the same time that she learned the device was recalled from the market.

Overview of Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Problems

Upon getting the device removed, it was discovered that Mary had been suffering from metallosis or blood metal poisoning. This condition is caused by metal ions shed into the bloodstream from the interaction of the all-metal ball and socket components of the device, resulting in elevated metal ion levels and continuously compounding medical condition.

These metal ions can cause infection and inflammation around the implant site, along with the formation of pseudotumors and debilitating pain. Metallosis is a problem frequently reported in patients who opted to have metal-on-metal hip implants implemented, due to having no barrier between the metal hip components.

Stryker recalled the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recently. The recall was issued over a high number of injury reports allegedly caused by the femoral head, which spurred the company to take action.

It is important to note that this is not the first time that Stryker Corporation has dealt with metal-on-metal hip complications, with the company recalling the Rejuvenate and ABG II metal-on-metal hip implants in 2012. Even though metal hip implant complications can be devastating to patients, Stryker allegedly failed to warn patients against these problems.

Stryker allegedly did not disclose any relevant information regarding potential prosthetic problems to Mary or her physician. Mary states she would never have agreed to have the Stryker metal hip prosthetic implanted had she known the allegedly defective nature of the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head component.

This Stryker Metal Hip lawsuit is joining a growing multi-district litigation (MDL), alleging numerous patients had their health problems compounded due to the defective nature of the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head. By joining MDL No. 2768, Mary will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges and her claim will quickly progress through the litigation process.

Mary is filing this Stryker Metal Hip lawsuit seeking multiple damages, including negligence and failure to warn.

This Stryker Metal Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-10119-IT, in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts.