Howmedica Osteonics Corp. faces a new Stryker metal hip lawsuit filed by a couple alleging the device caused severe adverse effects and complications.

Plaintiffs Kevin and Elaine G. filed the Stryker metal hip lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court, demanding a jury trial. The lawsuit joins a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) filed against the company. The lawsuit was filed on June 5, 2018.

According to the Stryker metal hip lawsuit, the plaintiffs are residents of the state of Massachusetts. Kevin says that he was implanted with the LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 Femoral Head on his right hip on July 19, 2011 at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Mass. He was also implanted with the Accolade TMZF femoral stem during that procedure, he says.

However, allegedly due to adverse side effects, Kevin says his surgeon explanted the device on Aug. 20, 2014. Kevin says that he suffered severe injuries due to the device’s implantation. Kevin’s wife, Elaine, alleges damages due to loss of consortium in addition to loss of services.

Kevin also states that he was not aware that he was implanted with a faulty Stryker metal hip until he had his blood drawn and was advised of excessive levels of chromium and cobalt in his bloodstream; indication of a faulty and defective Stryker metal hip implant.

The Stryker metal hip implant was filed on multiple counts including negligence, negligence per se, defective design, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, breach of express warranty, breach of warranty as to merchantability, breach of implied warranty, violation of Massachusetts consumer protection act, violation of consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under state law, negligent misrepresentation, loss of consortium, unjust enrichment, and punitive damages, among others.

Overview: Stryker Metal Hip

A voluntary recall of the LFIT V40 Anatomic Femoral Head was announced by the company on Aug. 29, 2016 which they then released an “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification.” The notice was sent to surgeons across the country who were implanting patients with the Stryker metal hip replacement device. The recall notification was released due to reports of taper lock failure associated with the LFIT V40 femoral head.

Although hip implants of all types cause serious side effects, the Stryker metal hip system has been subject to more reports of complications than the manufacturer expected. Some of these reports have resulted from corrosion and fretting, which causes metal ions to be released into the patients’ bloodstream and surrounding tissues causing complications.

Adverse effects associated may include:

• Metallosis: poisoning of tissue resulting from metal ions and fragments
• Necrosis: tissue and bone death resulting from metal toxicity
• Osteolysis: disbanding of nectrotic bone tissue
• Systemic metal poisoning: inflammation of bloodstream due to presence of metal ions
• Pseudotumors: the presence of false tumors surrounding joints
• Bone fracture: bones may weaken or fracture
• Revision surgery: to replace the defective and faulty metal-on-metal device
• Reconstructive surgery: because of weakened bones due to fracture

The Stryker Metal Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-11176-IT, in the U.S. District Court of for the District of Massachusetts. The Stryker LFIT V40 MDL is In re: Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 17-md-2768-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.