Stryker V40 Joins List of Other Dangerous Hip Replacement Products

Once again, Stryker is facing heat for another of its hip replacement inventions. The Stryker LFIT V40 CoCr Femoral Head has received many complaints from patients who have experienced severe pain, suffering and some that required revision surgery to correct issues stemming from the implant. The Australian version of the Food and Drug Administration just issued a hazard alert about the implant in late September of 2016.

The warning indicates that a higher than expected number of these hip implants that were installed prior to 2011 fail. The failure happens at the top, or the “head,” of the implant, where it meets the socket attached to the hip, and is caused by the same kind of corrosion problems that Stryker has faced time and time again with their other faulty hip replacement products.

As the joint corrodes inside the body, patients can experience symptoms of metal poisoning known as “metallosis,” including hypersensitivity and skin rashes, heart complications, sensory difficulties in vision or hearing, kidney problems, unusual changes in mood and thyroid issues such as a throbbing or painful neck, unexplained weight gain, general fatigue or a constant feeling of coldness.

If the joint corrodes enough, the head is prone to slipping out of the socket or breaking off entirely, which is known as a “dissociation.” If the joint head merely slips out of place, it can be correctly with relatively minor revision surgery. However, a dissociation can be catastrophic for a hip-replacement patient, as they will need to undergo incredibly complex, painful and expensive surgery to correct the problem that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

The surgery to correct a dissociation involves completely removing the hip replacement stem, which is attached the patients femur and literally becomes a conjoined part of the femur after a prolonged amount of time in the human body. To physically remove the stem involves detaching the stem from the femur, which can often involve breaking the femur and is obviously a painful and terrible ordeal which will set the patient back significantly in their recovery and disrupt their lives immensely.

Stryker Hip Replacements Potentially Dangerous

The Stryker Corporation, founded in 1941, employs more than 20,000 people and is one of the largest medical equipment and orthopedic device manufacturers in the world. It is worth around $10 billion and controls about 25 percent of the hip and knee replacement market in the United States.

But all of these impressive statistics have done nothing to prevent a slew of legal troubles and recalls surrounding their products. In 2012, they recalled their Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems due to their metal material being prone to corrosion, which releases fragments of the metal into the patients’ blood stream and causes numerous health complications.

Another of their hip stem products, the Accolate TMZF, was recalled in 2009, 2011 and 2013 mainly due to packaging and manufacturing mistakes but also due to the same corrosion issues as with the Rejuvenate and ABG models. The health complications from these faulty stems are serious, and include tissue and bone weakness, tissue and bone death, and failure of the device which leads to necessary revision surgery to correct the problem.

More Lawsuits Likely

Although Stryker has not officially recalled the LFIT V40 femoral head device yet, it is likely they will be caught up in more legal troubles from patients who have suffered as a result of another faulty Stryker product. Stryker has a responsibility to protect patients against unnecessary pain and suffering, and their blighted track record will do them no favors in court.

Knowing that Stryker is one of the most powerful and wealthy orthopedic device companies in the world should not stop you from seeking recompense for your pain and suffering experienced due to being fitted with any of these faulty devices. At Altman & Altman LLP, we understand that going up against such a huge company is daunting, scary, and probably impossible for any one person. That’s why we’re here.

We understand the rules, expectations and what it takes to litigate a case involving so many complicated pieces. We understand how to maximize your settlement and we understand when it is necessary to go forward with additional legal action if you are not satisfied. Call us today at 617.492.3000 or toll-free at 800.481.6199. We are available 24/7 and provide free consultations.