Howmedica Osteonics Corp. faces a new LFIT V40 femoral head lawsuit filed by a couple alleging severe adverse side effects and injuries suffered after the metal-on-metal device’s implantation.

Plaintiffs Sal and Vicki I. file the LFIT V40 femoral head in Massachusetts federal court joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) filed against the company. The lawsuit, demanding jury trial, was filed on July 6, 2018.

According to the LFIT V40 femoral head, plaintiff Sal and his wife Vicki are residents and citizens of the state of New York. He says that he was implanted with an LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 femoral head on his right hip on March 17, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital.

Sal was implanted with Accolade II femoral stem, the LFIT V40 femoral head lawsuit states. However, he says that he suffered severe injuries and economic loss. His wife joins him in filing the lawsuit alleging loss of consortium.

The LFIT V40 femoral head lawsuit 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 warranties, 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.

Overview: LFIT V40 Femoral Head

Howmedica Osteonics is a subsidiary of Stryker Orthopedics. Due to the number of serious complications and adverse side effects their device has been linked to, they have faced thousands of lawsuits in federal court.

Side effects have reportedly included corrosion, metal toxicity, fretting, loss of bone fixation strength, hip stem fractures and dissociation of the femoral head from the stem. Other reported side effects and complaints have also centered around the development of metallosis: the deposit and buildup of metal debris in the body’s soft tissues. This has unfortunately led to even more adverse complications and side effects.

Howmedica Osteonics was founded in 1970. The company manufactures and specializes in creating knee, hip and spinal systems. Among these products are the LFIT Anatomic V40 Femoral Head and TMZF hip stem. The device, a part of a total hip replacement system, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2000.

However, significant complications and injuries have stemmed from the composite of the LFIT V40 femoral head and Accolade II femoral stem as the two rub together. When this occurs, cobalt and chromium ions are released and settle in the body’s surrounding tissues and bloodstream.

Due to these complications, the company announced a voluntary recall of the LFIT Anatomic V40 femoral head and released an “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification on Aug. 29, 2016.” Surgeons across the country received the notification warning them of their decision.

The LFIT V40 Femoral Head Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-11410-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The Stryker V40 Lawsuit 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.