Stryker Corporation is facing a new Stryker Accolade lawsuit from a Washington woman alleging major implant complications.

The Stryker Accolade lawsuit alleges that as a direct result of the metal-on-metal hip implant, plaintiff Liliane P. eventually was forced to undergo revision surgery to repair damage caused by the device.

Liliane says she was implanted with a Stryker Accolade metal hip implant in September 2007 to replace her deteriorating hip bones. She alleges her body initially responded well to the device.

However, she later complained of metal hip implant complications soon after having the device implanted.

Diagnostic testing revealed that she had elevated blood metal levels, particularly of cobalt and chromium.

These levels indicated metallosis, or metal poisoning, which may have contributed to the worsening condition of Liliane’s metal hip implant.

Stryker Accolade Lawsuit Says Complications Required More Surgery

Liliane underwent revision surgery in April 2016. During that procedure, the surgeon discovered that the implant’s femoral head was dislodged. The surgeon also found evidence of trunnionosis, a wearing-down of the interface between the femoral head and its neck.

According to the Stryker Accolade lawsuit, the surgeon had to replace and clean the femoral head of the device to prevent further damage.

Overview of Stryker Accolade Metal Hip Implant Complications

Metal hip implant complications have caused concern for orthopedic surgeons since they were first released to the market.

Many complications reported with metal hip implants are linked to the device’s ball and socket components. Metal ions may be released into the body when these parts interact.

The Stryker Accolade metal hip implants have been the subject of reported metal hip complications across the country. The problems reported with the Stryker Accolade include but are not limited to:

• The hip implants loosening or dislocating
• Severe pain and discomfort, often resulting in loss of mobility
• Blood metal poisoning
• Corrosion
• Fretting
• Formation of pseudotumors

The severity of these problems often forces patients to undergo revision surgery to resolve the complications. Revision surgery can be considerably riskier than the initial implant surgery.

When they were initially released, metal hip implants were thought to be overtly superior to their ceramic or plastic cousins. Manufacturers advertised them to be more durable and longer lasting than competing models, with most metal hip implant models being customizable to patients.

The reputation of metal hip implants took a downturn when complications associated with the devices became apparent. Stryker Corporation recently announced a recall of their LFIT V40 femoral heads, due to the complications reported by patients. These femoral heads can be used in the Stryker Accolade implant system.

Even though Stryker recalled many of their metal hip implants from the market, it was too late for many patients who have already been implanted with a recalled product. Liliane states that she never would have accepted the Accolade metal hip implant if she had known of the potential complications.

This Stryker Accolade Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00465-BRM-DEA in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.