The recent Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recall has left many in the medical community and patient population concerned after numerous reports of device failure and injury. Physicians began alerting patients to the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recall in 2016, warning of spontaneous device failure and the development of metallosis.

The cobalt and chromium femoral heads reportedly corrode while inside the patient, possibly causing the head to separate from the femoral stem. This occurrence is called “spontaneous dissociation”, and it requires revision surgery to explant the Stryker LFIT V40 metal hip implant.

Stryker Orthopaedics had notified the medical community of its voluntary market recall, stating that certain lots and sizes of its LFIT Anatomic COCR V40 Femoral Heads posed serious health problems. Many patients who were implanted with Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head hip implants reported experiencing debilitating pain and dangerously high levels of cobalt and chromium in their bloodstream.

Often, these patients had to undergo revision surgery to correct these problems, which is riskier than the initial hip implant surgery. Similar to other metal on metal hip implants, Stryker Orthopeadics reportedly had the LFIT V40 hip implant go to market through the FDA’s fast track approval process.

This means that the metal hip implant did not go through all the testing it could have before being prescribed to patients. While this is not uncommon with metal hip implants, the company’s eagerness could have led to the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recall.

A previous Stryker metal hip implant market recall was also linked to reports of complications and revision surgery.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Stryker had issued a previous market recall of its Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement system in 2012 after patients also reported occurrences of metallosis and device failure. Metallosis, or blood metal poisoning, occurs when metal ion levels in the blood reach dangerous levels and can cause other side effects.

These problems occur due to the metal on metal hip implant components, particular the ball and socket joint, interact and shed metal ions into the bloodstream. This can cause a number of side effects including: fretting, corrosion, inflammation, formation of pseudotumor, debilitating pain, device failure, tissue death, and loss of mobility.

Stryker Orthopaedics had issued a market recall of its ABG II metal hip implants after a 2012 study published in the medical journal Orthopedics that found a 95% failure rate in patients who suffered failed implant surgeries with metal on metal hip implants.

The Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recall was conducted to prevent further incidents of metal hip implant failure. The company has asked physicians to not recommend the device to patients.

Even though the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head recall will prevent further injuries, it does not help patients who have already suffered metal hip implant complications. Patients who have experienced problems from the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head implants may be able to file legal action against the orthopedic giant.