After a Stryker hip recall was issued due to serious risk of failure and injury, a growing number of patients have begun filing lawsuits against the medical device manufacturer.

Complications Linked with the Stryker Hip Implant

Hip implant devices are used to alleviate pain from arthritis and certain hip fractures. Hip replacement is the most common orthopaedic operation that patients undergo, and many of these are done with metal-on-metal hip implants.

Metal-on-metal hip implant devices like the Stryker hip system are one of the more popular prosthetic hip replacements available. Stryker manufactures several different artificial hip implants that are in wide use.

Unfortunately, certain Stryker hip implants have been linked with a number of serious complications that have led not only to a steady stream of a lawsuits, but even to a Stryker hip recall of the devices.

Stryker Hip Recall

The devices affected by the Stryker hip recall are the Accolade TMZF, Accolade 2, Citation stems, and Meridian stems. Each of these devices has a defective component that can cause the device to fail. The component that prompted the Stryker hip recall is the LFIT V40 femoral head.

Recalling a device is a decision manufacturers do not take lightly. The Stryker hip recall came in response to reports of serious complications linked with its component, including metallosis.

Metallosis occurs when components of a metal device rub together, releasing excessive amounts of cobalt and chromium particles into the bloodstream. This can cause the surrounding tissue and nearby bone to die. On top of the risk of metallosis, Stryker devices also include a risk of dislocation or dissociation.

For many patients who suffer from these serious complications, revision surgery is required to replace defective hip implants. Unfortunately, revision surgery can be painful, dangerous, and costly itself, opening patients up to further complications, risk of infection, and medical expenses.

Stryker issued its current Stryker hip recall voluntarily without any prodding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Stryker hip recall came after the FDA had received over 60 reports of metal toxicity that required revision surgery.

Filing a Stryker Hip Recall Lawsuit

After learning of the Stryker hip recall, a growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations of serious harm. Plaintiffs claim that Stryker failed to adequately test its devices prior to entering the market, and further allege that the manufacturer failed to warn both patients and the medical community about the risks linked with the devices.

In some cases, patients who have suffered from a device defect of the Stryker hip recall have been forced to undergo revision surgery to combat complications.

If you or someone you love was implanted with a metal hip implant containing the Stryker hip recall part and have suffered from these or other side effects, you may be able to file a class action lawsuit. While filing a Stryker hip recall lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of hip implant defects, it can help to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses and lost wages from these injuries.