Stryker Corporation and subsidiary Howmedica Osteonics are facing a growing multidistrict litigation from numerous patients who had metal on metal hip replacement systems with the Accolade hip stem component.

One of the most recent claims comes from a Pennsylvania couple, alleging the Accolade hip stem and LFIT V40 femoral head metal hip components were defective and unreasonably dangerous to patients.

Plaintiff Charles G. and his wife Claire G. opted to file this Stryker metal hip implant lawsuit, after discovering the allegedly defective nature of the Accolade hip stem and LFIT V40 femoral head hip components.

According to the Stryker metal hip implant lawsuit, Charles opted for the all-metal Stryker hip implant after reviewing the company’s marketing materials and discussing the decision with his orthopedic physician. Charles had the Stryker metal hip replacement system implanted in his right hip on Dec. 20, 2005, using the LFIT V40 femoral head and Accolade hip stem.

The LFIT V40 femoral head and Accolade hip stem are the ball and socket components of the hip implant, which interact to simulate hip function. All-metal hip implants such as this one are marketed to be more durable and longer lasting than plastic or ceramic models, because they can handle a more active lifestyle.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

While the Stryker metal on metal hip implant remained inside Charles for over a decade, he says he recently experienced debilitating problems.

According to the claim, Charles had to have the device explanted in 2017 due to issues with the LFIT V40 femoral head. This has been the case for many patients, according to injury reports that say large amounts of metal ions may be shed into the bloodstream due to the all metal ball and socket joint interacting.

Charles says he had to have the all metal hip implant removed due to a number of different device complications that had reportedly developed including fretting, corrosion, and metallosis. In addition to these metal hip implant problems, Charles and Claire were notified that the Accolade hip stem and LFIT V40 femoral head was recently recalled from the market.

Complications reported by patients have included:

• Disassociation of V40 Femoral Head from Accolade Hip Stem
• Metallosis (Blood Metal Poisoning)
• Fractured Accolade Hip Stem Trunnion
• Limited Range of Motion
• Soft Tissue Damage and Death
• Infection
• Corrosion
• Fretting

These metal on metal hip implant complications forced a number of patients to undergo revision surgery, which is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure due to higher risk of infection.

Even though device failure of this magnitude can be devastating for patients, Stryker allegedly failed to warn patients against this. Charles and Claire are filing their Stryker metal hip implant lawsuit in MDL No. 2768, which includes other claims stating similar injuries in conjunction with the LFIT V40 femoral head and Accolade hip stem components.

Charles states he would not have opted for the Stryker metal hip implant, if he had known about the problems associated with the prosthetic hip implant components.

This Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-12429-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.