After adverse side effects and complications allegedly developed following the implantation of the Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head, a man filed a Stryker hip replacement lawsuit against the manufacturers, Howmedica Osteonics Corp.

The Stryker hip replacement lawsuit joins a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL). The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 27, 2018 in Massachusetts.

According to the short form complaint, plaintiff Jude G., a resident of the state of Louisiana, states that he was implanted with the Stryker hip device on Oct. 1, 2009, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was also implanted with the Accolade TMZF during the hip replacement procedure.

Jude, however, has plans to have the femoral head implant device explanted on Jan. 8, 2019, at Ochsner Speciality Health Center over the adverse side effects and complications he has allegedly suffered.

One of the injuries he reports was excessive levels of chromium and cobalt in his blood. He says he was only aware of these excessive levels when he had blood work drawn and evaluated which led him to attribute his labs to the defective device.

His Stryker hip replacement lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including negligence, negligence per se, defective design, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, breach of express warranty, breach of warranty as to merchantability, breach of implied warranties, violation of consumer fraud and/or unfair deceptive trade practices, and negligent misrepresentation.

Overview: Stryker Hip Replacement

Following reports of severe adverse side effects and complications pertaining to the LFIT Anatomic V40 Femoral Head, a voluntary recall was announced by Stryker Orthopedics on Aug. 29, 2016. It was released as an “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification.” The notice of the recall was released to surgeons and medical offices across the country that were utilizing the hip replacement device.

A multitude of adverse side effects and complications linked to the medical device were behind the voluntary recall notification. While hip implants are known to cause some side effects, the Stryker metal hip was blamed for a higher than expected number of reports of failure.

Reported adverse effects have ranged from corrosion to the fretting of metal components, releasing metal ions into patients’ bloodstream and surrounding tissues. Bone fractures were reported in many patients. Some other adverse effects that have been linked to the device have included:

• Metallosis: poisoning of tissue resulting from metal ions and fragments
• Necrosis: tissue and bone death resulting from metal toxicity
• Osteolysis: disbanding of necrotic bone tissue
• Pseudotumors: the presence of false tumors surrounding joints
• Revision surgery: to replace the defective and faulty metal-on-metal device
• Reconstructive surgery: because of weakened bones due to fracture

The Stryker Hip Replacement Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-12449-IT, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It joins the Stryker V40 MDL, In re: Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 17-md-2768-IT, in the same court.