In a new lawsuit filed in a federal court in Minnesota, plaintiff Phillippe B. claims defects in the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head caused him to need to have his knee implant surgically removed.

Phillippe alleges he was implanted on the left side with the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head on Nov. 24, 2009 as part of a total hip arthroplasty (THA). The component was paired with an Accolade TMZF femoral stem.

The surgery was completed by orthopedic physician Dr. Howard Hirsch, at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The complainant is a citizen and resident of the State of Rhode Island.

Seven years and five days later on Nov. 29, 2016, the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head was removed by the same doctor at the same medical facility for ongoing problems.

Phillippe B. claims that the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head was the source of physical injury to himself and that he also sustained economic injury by having to undergo a second hip revision surgery whereby the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head was replaced with an alternate prosthetic.

Cobalt Chromium Poisoning

The plaintiff in this lawsuit says he submitted to a blood test upon hearing of the recall status of the prosthetic femoral head in his left hip. The results indicated high levels of cobalt and chromium in his blood, a condition often referred to as metallosis.

In the short-form complaint, Phillippe B., alleges that he could not have known that the Stryker femoral head was the cause of his injuries which included these spikes of metals in his blood until he learned of the recall. Once the lab results were read, he claims, he was advised that they were attributable to the recalled LFIT V40 femoral head.

The Stryker LFIT femoral head is made up of cobalt and chromium and interfaces directly with a metal liner inside of an acetabulum cup in the pelvic cage. With many other types of total hip prosthetics, there is a ceramic or polypropylene liner.

Metal-on-metal hip prosthetic components are a newer design that may not use a liner. However, these components have been found to shed metal debris into the surrounding tissues and blood. The metal debris and elevated blood metals have been implicated in causing pseudotumors around the joint, pain and inflammation, bone tissue loss, and certain cancers and heart disease.

Causes of Action

Phillippe B. is bringing claims against Howmedica Osteonics, makers and promoters of the Stryker LFIT, based on theories of negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, failure to warn, and violation of state consumer protection laws.

The plaintiff is asking for a trial by jury with a favorable decision on his behalf according to the proof provided. He hopes for compensatory damages, state statutory damages, and punitive damages. He also hopes for the reimbursement of all court and attorney fees.

The Stryker Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-md-02768-IT, in the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota.