Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Howmedica are facing growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of claims regarding device complications reported with metal hip implants containing the LFIT V40 femoral head.

One of the most recent Stryker metal hip lawsuits comes from a Missouri couple, alleging the husband sustained multiple injuries from the LFIT V40 femoral head component.

Plaintiff couple Randy H. and Nancy H. are filing this Stryker metal hip lawsuit together, alleging the defective LFIT V40 femoral head permanently impacted their lives. According to the Stryker hip lawsuit, Randy had been recommended a metal on metal hip implant consisting of the LFIT V40 femoral head for his left hip replacement surgery.

Randy underwent this procedure on April 15, 2008, and did not experience any initial implant complications. However Randy eventually had to undergo revision surgery on Feb. 15, 2017, to have the metal hip implant removed.

Randy had reportedly experienced serious metal hip implant complications and was forced to undergo revision surgery to resolve them. Randy opted to file legal action against Stryker, alleging the company either knew or should have known about the defective nature of the LFIT V40 femoral head component.

He bases this accusation on the fact that Stryker has had to deal with metal hip implant problems before, with numerous patients alleging problems with the company’s Rejuvenate and ABGII metal on metal hip implants.

Overview of Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Problems

Stryker issued a voluntary recall of their metal hip implants containing the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head components in 2016, after numerous patients reported problems.

Specifically, reports of spontaneous device failure due to the issues associated with metallosis. Also known as blood metal poisoning, metallosis occurs when metal ions are shed into the blood because of the all metal implant components interacting.

When the ball and socket joint simulate hip movement, the components may fret, allowing metal debris to enter the bloodstream. This can cause the patient’s health condition to quickly worsen, causing a number of symptoms including:

• Debilitating Pain
• Device Failure
• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Limited Range of Motion
• Tissue Death
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Formation of Pseudotumors

These complications often force patients to undergo revision surgery in order to resolve these problems.

Many patients opt to get metal on metal hip implants, after reviewing advertisements from companies promising the devices will be more durable and longer lasting than ceramic or plastic counterparts. However, numerous patients have had to undergo early revision surgery due to the all metal hip implant components causing adverse reactions.

Randy and Nancy are filing this Stryker metal hip lawsuit in MDL No. 2768, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar problems with LFIT V40 femoral head. By joining an MDL, Randy and Nancy’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid issues like conflicting rulings from different judges.

The couple alleges the company failed to warn them against early device failure or need for revision surgery, and that Randy would have chosen differently from the hip implant with the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head component.

This Stryker Metal Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-12549-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.