A Pennsylvania couple recently filed a Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit against Howmedica, alleging the device is defective.

The plaintiff, David S., claims that the Stryker Accolade device led to serious pain and complications.

The specific components involved in the Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit are the Accolade TMZF Stem and the LFIT V40 Cobalt Chromium Femoral Head, both manufactured by Howmedica.

The plaintiff was implanted with these components in April 2006, the Stryker lawsuit notes. Years after the initial surgery, in 2016, David alleges he began to experience significant pain in his hip. A diagnostic workup in July 2016 showed elevated levels of metals in David’s bloodstream.

In October 2016, David says, he went to the emergency room after suffering extreme pain and, as a side effect, being unable to move his hip. He subsequently underwent revision surgery on Oct. 18, 2016; during the surgery his doctor noticed a large black pseudotumor and a large amount of black metallic debris.

The Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including design defect, failure to warn, manufacturing defect, negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, and others. David’s wife, Donna, also filed on one count of loss of consortium.

This Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit and others like it allege that Stryker—and its parent company, Howmedica—were aware of the defects linked with the Stryker hip implant components named in the complaint, yet failed to warn the public and the medical community about these defects and their related risks. Instead, the Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit claims, Stryker continued to market the metal hip product as safe and effective.

Metal-on-metal hip implants like this one are commonly linked with metallosis, a complication that occurs when the device’s metal components rub together and release excessive levels of cobalt and chromium into the bloodstream and surrounding tissue.

Stryker devices also include a risk of spontaneous dislocation or dissociation. These complications can often require revision surgery to replace a defective hip implant, which in itself can be painful, costly, and open patients up to further health risks.

Stryker Accolade Hip Implant Complications

A number of issues can arise from use of a Stryker Accolade Hip system. They include:

• Disassociation of femoral head from hip stem
• Fractured hip stem trunnion
• Excessive metallic debris
• Insufficient Range of Motion (ROM)
• Insufficient soft tissue tension
• Loss of implant: bone fixation strength
• Excessive wear debris (polymeric)
• Implant construct with a shortened neck length
• Revision surgery

Filing a Stryker Accolade Hip Implant Lawsuit

If you or someone you love was implanted with a Stryker Accolade hip implant and have suffered from these or other side effects, you may be able to file a Stryker Accolade hip implant lawsuit. Filing a claim can result in financial compensation that can help with medical expenses and other financial losses felt as a result of these injuries.

The Stryker Accolade Hip Implant Lawsuit is David S. v. Howmedica, et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-00552-MRH, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.