Stryker Orthopedics is facing major criticism after numerous patients have reported Stryker metal hip complications.

The company announced a major recall over their metal on metal hip implants, involving its large LFIT-V40 chrome or cobalt heads.

Similar to the metal hip implant recall the company conducted in 2012, patients allege the Stryker metal hip complications are caused by metallosis or blood metal poisoning.

Patients have also reported that the metal alloy femoral hip heads have been causing catastrophic dissociation, or which the femoral head comes off.

Overview of Stryker Metal Hip Complications

Metallosis has become infamously associated with metal on metal hip implant complications, leading to corrosion and infection of the implant site.

This condition occurs when the all metal ball and socket joint interact, causing metal ions to be shed directly into the blood stream.

Catastrophic dissociation is a very serious form of metal corrosion, which is when the actual neck of the implant’s stem is so severely weakened that it breaks.

The corrosion is so extreme in these cases that the head-neck junction of the device, resulting in the breakdown.

If the patient suffers catastrophic dissociation, an invasive revision surgery is often needed to completely remove the device.

Surgical removal of the device requires surgeons to break the stem free from the bone, fracturing the femur in consequence.

Some of these cases of Stryker metal hip complications are so severe, they require surgeons to perform an extended trochanteric osteotomy.

This process involves cutting the femur in half to remove the stem, with the surgeons implementing wires and cables to put the bone back together so a replacement stem can be implanted.

Even though there are always the risk of metal hip complications, Stryker metal hip complications relating to the Stryker LFIT v40 femoral head and stems have indicated much greater recovery.

Patients have already reported needing multiple revision surgeries, had suffered more than one dislocation after revision, and had been exposed to potential infection in the surgical site.

In addition, revision surgery often compounds the long term problems patients experience from metal hip implant complications. Patients can develop soft tissue damage, muscle and bone damage, and other damages caused by metal debris.

It is important to note that surgeons cannot remove all metal debris from the hip tissue, meaning it remains there even after a new hip implant is set.

Even though the company had issued a voluntary recall of the LFIT metal hip implant, the damage has already been done according to the numerous reports of Stryker metal hip complications.

Patients who suffered Stryker metal hip complications may be able to file legal action against the company. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer, to determine eligible for a Stryker metal hip lawsuit.