Many Stryker hip replacement surgeries that have been completed since 2001 could include recalled parts.

In August of this year, Stryker Orthopedics issued a voluntary recall of its hip implant heads, specifically the LFIT V40 femoral heads.

A main concern is the joint where the metal stem and the V40 femoral head meet can cause corrosion, releasing metal debris into the body.

None of the products were removed from shelves because all of them had either been implanted or had expired. The recalled V40 devices were manufactured from 2001 through 2011.

While Stryker has not offered much information regarding the V40 recall, the company has had trouble with hip implant parts in the past.

Its Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular hip implant systems caused metal poisoning, also known as metallosis, because of a problem with the stem and femoral head connection.

Tiny particles of metal were being shaved off the parts as they rubbed together within the body, causing cobalt and chromium to leach into patients’ systems.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

The most common reasons people have hip replacement surgery is to eliminate problems from arthritis, which can cause hip pain and decreased mobility. A hip replacement surgery can also be necessary if the hip joint is diseased or fractured.

In the human body, the femur connects to the pelvis via the hip joint, which consists of the femoral head (a ball-like mechanism at the top of the femur) that rotates inside the acetabulum (the cup-like part at the bottom of the pelvis.)

A healthy hip consists of a strong femur and a strong acetabulum that are cushioned and lubricated by cartilage and fluids, which allow ease of movement. Traditional hip replacement surgery involves removing the head of the femur and the acetabulum and replacing them with artificial replacement parts.

The Stryker hip replacement part that is in this recall is the V40 femoral head, which is the ball-like mechanism on top of the femur.

The recalled part was used in conjunction with other Stryker products, including the Accolade TMZF, Hfx, Citation, LASST, Accolade II, Anato, Secur-Fit Advanced, and LSP76.

What Are the Dangers of Stryker Hip Replacement Recalled Parts?

When the metal-on-metal parts cause metallosis, the effects are gradual. A patient who has received a Stryker hip replacement surgery that includes the V40 femoral head might experience the following:

• User annoyance
• Loss of mobility
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Local tissue reaction, swelling
• Dislocation
• Joint instability
• Loosened implant, resulting in pain
• Leg length difference
• Bone fracture around the implant

The health journal Orthopedics published a 2012 study in that determined 95 percent of patients needed revision surgery within three years if their original metal-on-metal hip replacement surgery failed.

An MRI can show fluid in the joint, indicating a reaction to either metal or infection of some kind. The fluid collection is the body’s natural way to try to eliminate a foreign object.

Blood tests can determine chromium and cobalt levels.  These tests can help determine if a revision surgery is necessary.

If you have received a Stryker hip implant and are suffering from pain or experiencing a decreased range of motion, you could be eligible for compensation through a Stryker hip replacement lawsuit.