The Stryker Corporation manufactures implants used in joint replacement surgeries. The company has issued a voluntary recall of its LFIT Anatomic metal hip implant.

The announcement was made after the company received a much higher number of patient complaints than was initially expected. The complaints are specifically centered around the Stryker LFIT Cobalt/Chromium V40 Femoral Head.

Stryker femoral heads have caused several side effects and complications in patients who were implanted with the metal-on-metal hip implant device.

These complications include: 1) disassociation of femoral head from hip stem, 2) fractured hip stem trunnion, 3) excessive metallic debris, 4) insufficient range of motion (ROM), 5) insufficient soft tissue tension, 6) noise, 7) loss of implant bone fixation strength, 8) excessive wear debris and 9) implant construct with a shortened neck length.

Stryker Femoral Heads and Stryker Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Recall

This is not the first hip implant recall announced by Stryker. Stryker had also issued a recall of the Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular hip replacement system in 2012. This recall was announced after patients had complained that the hip implant was causing corrosion.

The corrosion that had resulted from the hip implant led to “fretting,” or the gradual wear away of the implant. Additionally, these patients who were implanted with the metal-on-metal hip implant device were also subject to metallosis.

This is due to the release of cobalt and chromium particles in the patient’s bloodstream and surrounding soft tissue.

Styker patients implanted with the device complained of severe adverse effects and complications, thereafter, including severe pain, limited mobility, having to undergo revision surgeries, and joint infections.

In a study published in the Journal of Orthopedics in July 2012, researchers concluded that 95% of patients who suffered from failed metal-on-metal hip replacement devices had to undergo revision surgery within three years of their implantation.

Stryker femoral head implants, specifically the LFIT Anatomic implant had also led to the following side effects and complications: user annoyance, loss of mobility, inflammatory response, adverse local tissue reaction, dislocation, joint instability, revision to alleviate hazardous situation, pain associated with implant loosening, periprosthetic fracture and leg length discrepancy.

Nearly 4,500 Stryker hip recall lawsuits have been filed alleging complaints associated with Stryker hip implant devices. These particularly include the Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Stem and ABG II devices. These lawsuits were consolidated under a multidistrict litigation, or MDL, alleging these complications.

After these Stryker hip recall lawsuits were announced and filed, a settlement program, announced in November 2014, stated that each victim and patient who suffered from hip replacement adverse effects and complications could receive up to $300,000.

This number does depend on each individual and the alleged side effects and complications suffered. However, plaintiffs of these lawsuits who have had to undergo multiple surgeries due to replacement complications may receive and even larger reward.

Stryker has paid over $1 billion dollars in metal hip implant settlements due to its failed metal-on-metal hip implant device.