Stryker Corporation is facing a new metal hip implant lawsuit, from a Michigan woman alleging early device failure in a metal hip implant using an Accolade TMZF stem and LFIT femoral head.

The woman alleges the Accoalde TMZF stem and LFIT femoral head were defective components in her metal on metal hip implant, which allegedly worsened her medical condition.

Plaintiff Cynthia L. is filing this metal hip implant lawsuit, claiming Stryker allegedly knew about the defective nature of the Accolade TMZF stem and LFIT femoral head components but did not disclose this information.

In addition, she claims, there were no post surgical instructions or precautions given to her, leaving Cynthia and her physician with little reason to be wary of potential device failure.

According to the metal hip implant lawsuit, Cynthia had the prosthetic implanted in her left hip on May 28, 2015 for typical treatment purposes. Like many other patients seeking to restore hip mobility and function, Cynthia and her physician agreed to the metal on metal hip implant based on the marketing materials provided by the company.

At all times relevant, Cynthia says she followed medical advice and did not deviate from recovery instructions. Even with this diligence, Cynthia still suffered metal hip implant complications and has severely degraded her quality of life.

According to the metal hip implant lawsuit, Cynthia now has to walk with a cane and her left leg buckles without notice. Cynthia also has to contend with debilitating pain, and is expected to undergo revision surgery.

Overview of Stryker Metal Hip Implant Complications

Cynthia opted to file legal action after discovering Stryker Corporation may have been aware of the defective nature of the Accolade TMZF stem and LFIT femoral head components. Stryker recently issued a recall of its LFIT Anatomic metal hip implants after receiving a high number of injury reports indicating metallosis or blood metal poisoning.

This condition occurs when the metal ball and socket joint components interact and shed metal ions into the bloodstream. This can lead to a number of different complications which can cause device failure, including:

• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Infection
• Tissue Death
• Debilitating Pain

Oftentimes, patients have to undergo revision surgery to resolve these complications, in which the metal hip implant is removed and replaced.

Metallosis has become widely associated with metal on metal hip implants, with Stryker having to conduct an earlier recall of their ABG II metal hip implants in 2012. Similar to the LFIT metal hip implants, the ABG II models were recalled for reported incidents of metallosis.

Based on the earlier recall and overall familiarity Stryker has had with metal hip implant complications in the past, Cynthia alleges the company either knew or should have known the potential dangers associated with their LFIT metal hip implants.

Her lawyers state her experiences are “tragic but not uncommon” and that the company failed in its civil duty to warn Cynthia and other patients against potential metal hip implant complications.

Cynthia states she would not have opted for the LFIT metal hip implant if she had known about the high failure rate associated with the Accolade TMZF stem and LFIT femoral head components.

This Accolade TMZF Stem Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-01029, in the U.S. District Court for the WesternDistrict of Michigan.