A Pennsylvania woman has filed an Accolade TMZF stem lawsuit against the maker of her hip implant, claiming she suffered device failure and permanent damage.

Plaintiff Kathleen D. was a candidate for two separate hip implants and received Stryker’s Accolade TMZF stem and LFIT Anatomic V40 Femoral Head system. She underwent two surgeries, each to implant a Stryker hip system in one of her hips.

Kathleen’s first surgery was on Feb. 20, 2007 and her second surgery was on May 14, 2007.

Very soon after the implantation of the Stryker hip implant systems including the Accolade TMZF stem and the LFIT femoral head, Kathleen began experiencing discomfort.

Her doctors determined that there was “gross failure of the Accolade trunnion and marked elevation of serum cobalt, chromium and titanium.” Essentially the Accolade TMZF stem deteriorated and the whole system had begun to release metals into her blood and surrounding tissue.

Stryker claims that their Accolade TMZF stem is different and superior to other similar devices. It was approved for use in the United States in 2000 and, according to this Accolade TMZF stem lawsuit, “is a monoblock, single piece artificial hip replacement device that is designed to be implanted into the patient’s femur.”

It is a part of a larger hip implant system and can be paired with different “bearing surface components comprised of the modular ball or artificial femoral head and an acetabular cup or socket.”

Stryker claimed that the Accolade TMZF stem was made of a proprietary titanium alloy that contained titanium, iron, zinc and molybdenum. It is different than the titanium used in other hip implants.

The manufacturing company also claimed that this proprietary titanium alloy used in the Accolade TMZF stem was stronger and less rigid than other titanium alloys. Additionally, they also claim that that alloy was tested and proven to not feel the effects of corrosion or fretting.

After Kathleen went in for her initial diagnosis of her hip implant problems, she was advised to have both implants removed. When they were removed, it was discovered that one device had failed which caused gross deformation of the Accolade TMZF stem as well as severe and permanent tissue and muscle damage. The other device, it was discovered, had also failed and caused severe and permanent tissue and muscle damage, Kathleen claims.

Allegedly, the combination of the titanium alloy in the Accolade TMZF stem and the chromium and cobalt in the LFIT femoral head, two components commonly used in conjunction with one another, increase the occurrence of accelerated fretting and corrosion.

When Stryker marketed these devices, they claimed that corrosion would not be a problem with their proprietary titanium alloy. Stryker has since redesigned the Accolade TMZF stem and is now branding it as the Accolade II, manufactured from a different alloy.

Kathleeen’s Stryker lawsuit is filed on counts of negligence, breach of express warranty, failure to warn, design defect and manufacturing defect.

This Accolade TMZF Stem Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-00958-AJS in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.