Plaintiffs Gregory and Rochelle W. have joined a multidistrict litigation against Howmedica Osteonics Corp. over Stryker LFIT complications. The plaintiffs allege that defects in the design and construction of the femoral heads used in Gregory’s hip surgery have caused severe injuries, resulting in disability and economic loss. They further allege that Gregory’s injuries have compromised their marital relationship.

According to the complaint, Gregory was implanted with an LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40, assembled and sold by Howmedica, on his left hip near the end of September 2005. The plaintiff states that he received an identical device on his right hip six months later. Both procedures were reportedly carried out at different hospitals by the same surgeon.

The device at the center of this litigation is alleged to contain defects that cause premature wear. Specifically, the couple claims that the V40 taper, part of the component that is inserted into the patient’s femur, is allegedly prone to corrosion, resulting in deterioration (“fretting”). Plaintiffs say the device sheds metallic debris into the adjacent tissues, causing necrosis (localized tissue death) and metal poisoning, among other conditions. These injuries can result in chronic pain and permanent disability, and revision surgery may be required.

This is what happened to Gregory, according to him and his wife. Their complaint states that the injured plaintiff went into the hospital in February 2016 in order to have the first implant removed. The couple says Gregory has not yet scheduled revision surgery for the removal of the other implant.

In addition, Gregory’s wife Rochelle is claiming loss of support and companionship (“consortium”) as a result of Gregory’s injuries.

The Defendants and the Cause of Action

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. is a subsidiary of Stryker Medical, a manufacturer of components used in joint replacement surgery as well as other types of medical and surgical equipment.

The LFIT (for “Low Friction Ion Treatment”) femoral head that is the cause of action in this litigation was designed as a replacement for the patient’s natural femoral head (the “knob” at the top of the thigh bone that fits into the hip socket). The V40 taper was first given FDA approval in 2001. Over the next five years, the FDA granted several additional clearances for the product. On Aug. 22, 2006, the FDA gave Stryker approval to market the LFIT model that is now blamed for Gregory’s injuries.

Stryker LFIT complications became apparent as the company received several complaints about taper lock failure in components manufactured prior to 2012. On Aug. 29, 2016, the FDA announced a Class 2 recall for the device.

Have You Been Injured By the LFIT V40?

Gregory and Rochelle are only the most recent plaintiffs to join the current mass litigation against the manufacturer of the LFIT V40. All injured parties allege that Stryker and Howmedica knew or should have known about the problems and potential for failure of the device. They also claim that the defendants failed to honor the express and implied warranties in accordance with their marketing and sales literature.

On Nov. 5, 2018, Stryker entered into a settlement agreement with many of the plaintiffs involved in the present multidistrict litigation. However, this settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, does not cover all pending cases. Evidence is still being gathered and examined by all parties, and cases that have been selected for bellwether trials will come before the court next year.

Gregory and Rochelle’s Stryker LFIT Complications Lawsuit is part of  MDL No. 17-md-2768-IT, Case No. 1.18-cv-12257,   U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.