Stryker Corporation faces a new metal hip implant lawsuit from a Massachusetts woman alleging serious injury was caused by the Accolade hip stem replacement. The woman claims that this metal-on-metal hip implant caused her to experience serious hip implant complications which later forced her to undergo revision surgery.

Plaintiff Linda R. had the Accolade hip stem replacement implanted on July 30, 2007, after reviewing different options with her orthopedic doctor. Even though the Accolade hip stem replacement was supposed to restore Linda’s mobility, she instead experienced serious problems that led to device failure and revision surgery.

According to diagnostic testing, Linda was suffering from infection, malabsorption and device loosening. In addition to these complications, Linda also had increased levels of metal ions in her bloodstream.

These problems eventually required Linda to undergo revision surgery on July 21, 2014. Her surgery also revealed that there was soft tissue damage at the implant site.

Since her revision surgery, Linda has had to undergo rehabilitation and has had to contend with numerous medical expenses. Linda is filing this metal hip implant lawsuit alleging Stryker knew of the potential complications associated with the Accolade hip stem replacement.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Stryker Corporation has recently issued a voluntary recall of its LFIT Anatomic metal hip implants, after numerous complications were reported from patients.

Patients who recovered the Accolade hip stem replacement have been alleging similar injuries. This is not the first time Stryker has been in hot water for their all metal hip implants, as Stryker recalled the Rejuvenate and ABG II metal hip implants years previously.

Each of the Stryker metal hip implants mentioned is metal-on-metal hip implants which were very popular among orthopedic patients.

One of the primary concerns of all metal hip implants is metallosis, or blood metal poisoning. When the ball and socket joint of the metal hip implant interact, metal ions are shed into the bloodstream.

This can lead to infection, corrosion, tissue death and the formation of pseudotumors around the implant site. Patients often experience debilitating pain and limited mobility due to these complications, often resulting in patients seeking revision surgery.

It is important to note that revision surgery is riskier than the initial hip implant surgery due to the increased risks for complications. Even though these problems can be devastating to patients, Stryker allegedly failed to warn patients against Accolade hip stem replacement.

Linda states that she would never have used the Accolade hip stem replacement, if she knew of the complications associated with the device.

This Accolade Hip Stem Replacement Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-10287-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.