A Washington state man has filed a lawsuit against Howmedica claiming that his hip replacement system experienced a LFIT v40 failure.

Plaintiff Robert H. of Spokane, Wash. says he underwent a right total hip arthroplasty in January 2008. He was implanted with the LFIT V40 Femoral Head made by medical device manufacturer Stryker.

This LFIT V40 failure lawsuit asserts that Robert began experiencing “progressive pain and discomfort.” Doctors found that his right hip had developed a condition known as trunnionosis, as well as pseudotumors.

Trunnionosis is the wear of the femoral head, and in this case, specifically the LFIT V40 Femoral Head, and has been found to be the cause of a growing number of arthroplasty failures. In essence, when the femoral head (the part of the hip replacement that is attached to the femur or leg bone) wears down too quickly, failure can occur.

Pseudotumors are soft tissue inflammatory responses that can occur after hip replacement surgery. They are soft tissue masses that can cause pain, instability and early loosening of the components of a hip replacement device.

When it was discovered that Robert was experiencing LFIT V40 failure in his hip, he was forced to undergo a revision surgery. Revision surgeries are much more complicated and associated with more risks than the original hip replacement surgery.

Several years later, in November 2012, Robert underwent another hip arthroplasty surgery, this time in his left hip. He was implanted with the LFIT V40 Femoral Head once again. Similarly to his right hip problems, Robert says he began to experience pain and discomfort. He was diagnosed with trunnionosis and pseudotumors in his left hip.

He says that because of his history with LFIT V40 failure, he has “suffered and continues to suffer injuries and damages, including but not limited to, past present, and future physical and mental pain and suffering, as well as past, present, and future medical, hospital, rehabilitative, and pharmaceutical expenses, and other related economic and noneconomic damages.”

History of LFIT V40 Failure

The LFIT V40 Femoral Heads were given FDA clearance in 2011 through a fast-track process called the 510(k) process. Essentially, this process allows some devices to be “grandfathered” into approval because they are similar to other already approved devices.

According to this LFIT V40 failure lawsuit, Stryker marketed the LFIT V40 Femoral Head as being superior to previous models, claiming that it is “anatomically designed to enhance hip stability, minimize dislocation and maximize patient range of motion.”

However, even though Stryker touted the LFIT V40 Femoral Heads as superior, instances of fretting and corrosion leading to LFIT V40 failure began to be reported.

As a result, Stryker issued a voluntary recall of the LFIT V40 Femoral Heads manufactured before 2011. The recall notices that Styrker issued mentioned trunnionosis, excessive metallic debris and excessive wear debris.

Robert is bringing forth claims of negligence, failure to warn and design defect. He is requesting compensatory and other damages because of his past and future pain and suffering.

This LFIT V40 Failure Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-00374-SMJ in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.