An Alaska couple blames a Stryker Accolade hip stem failure on defects in the prosthetic device’s design.

Plaintiffs Patton and Annie W. say that after Patton was implanted with a Stryker implant system, he suffered a Stryker Accolade hip stem failure that resulted in an adverse bodily reaction and a need for revision surgery.

The couple is suing defendant Howmedica Osteonics Corporation. Howmedica is a subsidiary of Stryker Corporation that licenses the Stryker brand for use with its prosthetic hip devices.

According to this Stryker Accolade hip stem failure lawsuit, Patton underwent left hip replacement surgery in March 2008. He was implanted with an Accolade TMZF femoral stem and an LFIT V40 femoral head.

Later, a diagnostic workup revealed Patton had an elevated level of cobalt in his blood. Imaging studies showed a large soft tissue mass. Patton’s orthopedic surgeon concluded he was suffering an adverse local tissue reaction resulting from corrosion at the junction between the femoral stem and the femoral head.

Patton underwent revision surgery in January 2015. The surgeon noted chronic inflammatory changes and signs of trunnionosis and corrosion of the implant. Between the femoral stem and the femoral head, the surgeon reported finding “extensive corrosion.”

Stryker Accolade Hip Stem Failure Blamed on Device’s Design

Patton and Annie now argue that his Stryker Accolade hip stem failure resulted from flaws in the design of the implant components.

The Accolade TMZF hip stem is made from an alloy of titanium, molybdenum, zinc and iron. The V40 femoral head, which is frequently used with the Accolade stem, is made from cobalt and chromium.

Stryker says laboratory testing confirmed that these metal parts can be used together without raising concerns about fretting or corrosion.

But despite those claims, the plaintiffs say, instances of fretting and corrosion have been reported in conjunction with the use of these implant components.

“The material combination of a titanium alloy stem, with a cobalt chromium femoral head, has been reported to cause fretting and corrosion,” the plaintiffs say.

“Scientists have reported the occurrence of significant fretting and corrosion caused by the combination of dissimilar metals and/or micro-motion at the junction between the stem trunnion and head bore dating back to the Reagan Administration.”

In August 2016, Stryker issued a voluntary recall of certain sizes of the LFIT V40 femoral head manufactured prior to 2011. The recall was prompted by a higher-than-expected number of reports of taper lock failure.

The company identified several potential hazards associated with these devices that could lead to failure. The company noted that “excessive metallic debris” could lead to adverse reactions, necessitating additional surgery to repair or replace the implant.

Patton and Annie are bringing claims based on theories of negligence, defective design, defective manufacture, and failure to warn. Annie is bringing a claim for loss of consortium, a type of claim that a spouse can bring to compensate for the loss of their spouse’s “companionship, aid, comfort, society, services, protection and consortium.”

This Stryker Accolade Hip Stem Failure Lawsuit is Case No. 4:17-cv-00001, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.