A couple has filed a Stryker femoral head lawsuit joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Howmedica Osteonics Corp. alleging severe adverse effects from the device’s implantation.

Plaintiffs Alexander H. and Kathy W. filed the Stryker femoral head lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. The lawsuit was filed on Feb. 21, 2018.

According to the Stryker femoral head lawsuit, Alexander and Kathy are both residents of Rhode Island.

Alexander says that he became implanted with an LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 Femoral Head in his right hip on Dec. 27, 2007 at Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island. He was also implanted with an Accolade TMZF femoral stem in addition to the femoral head, the hip implant lawsuit reports.

He says he suffered severe injury and damages due to the device’s implantation including economic loss, while his wife asserts damages including loss of consortium because of her husband’s injuries.

The Stryker 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, and loss of consortium.

The couple demands a trial by jury.

Stryker Femoral Head Lawsuit Overview

Several lawsuits have been filed against the maker of the metal-on-metal hip implant device, alleging it causes severe adverse effects and complications such as fretting, corrosion, and metal toxicity. Alexander files his Stryker femoral head lawsuit as part of a growing Stryker MDL centered on these allegations.

Howmedica Osteonics, a subsidiary of Stryker Orthopedics, manufactures and develops orthopedic products offering a wide range of systems including spinal systems, knee systems, and hip systems. The company was founded in 1970.

The LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 Femoral Head in addition to the TMZF femoral stem was marketed by the company to promote permanence, durability, and replace worsened and diminished hip bones, increasing hip function and mobility.

However, hazards and problems were reported with the device including issues ranging from hip stem fractures to dissociation of the femoral head from the stem, allowing for insufficient range of motion, and loss of bone fixation strength.

Additionally, other severe injuries included patients having released metal ions, stemming from the junction of the stem component and the LFIT V40 as the metal parts rub together, in their blood stream and surrounding tissue. Patients were able to identify a failing and defective metal-on-metal hip system by checking their blood for levels of cobalt and chromium.

On Aug. 29, 2016, Stryker announced a voluntary recall of femoral heads manufactured prior to 2011. The company released an “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification” letter to surgeons implanting patients with the LFIT V40 and TMZF femoral stem.

The Stryker Femoral Head Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-10328-IT, in the U.S. District Court 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.