Stryker Hip Lawsuit Filed Over Increased Cobalt Levels from Accolade TMZF Stem with LFit V40 Femoral Head

A hip replacement lawsuit filed against Howmedica Osteonics Corp. alleges that problems with a Stryker Accolade TMZF femoral stem implanted with a Stryker LFit v40 femoral head caused high levels of cobalt to leach into a man’s body, resulting in premature failure of the artificial hip.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Patton Witt in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on January 12, indicating that the combination of a Stryker Accolade hip implant with the recalled Stryker LFit metal femoral head caused him to experience failure of his device after only five years, resulting in the need for revision surgery to have the hip components removed.

A Stryker LFit V40 hip recall was issued last year, impacting certain large-diameter femoral heads sold before 2011, after the manufacturer acknowledged that a higher-than-expected number of individuals were experiencing problems with trunnion failure, metal wear, adverse tissue reactions and other problems..

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According to the lawsuit, Witt received the implant in March 2008, as part of a left total hip arthroplasty procedure to treat advanced right hip arthritis. Later, a diagnosis indicated that he suffered high cobalt serum levels, and an MRI found that he had developed a large soft tissue mass. Witt’s surgeon determined that the problems were being caused by corrosion where the Accolade TMZF and the LFit V40 head were rubbing together, and Witt required revision surgery in January 2015.

“[O]ne could clearly see extensive corrosion present at this site,” his orthopedic surgeon noted, according to the complaint. “There appeared to be some deterioration at the trunnion with loss of the passified layer.”

Witt presents claims for negligence, defective design, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, and his wife is included as a plaintiff with a loss of consortium claim. They are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, which are designed to punish the manufacturer for recklessly disregarding the safety of consumers.

The case joins a growing number of hip replacement lawsuits filed in recent months over problems with the Stryker Accolade and L-Fit V40 combination, each raising similar allegations. In addition, as more individuals receive Stryker recall letters or learn they received a recalled L-Fit V40 femoral head, it is likely that hundreds, if not thousands of additional complaints will be filed in the coming weeks and years.

6 Comments

  • JamesJanuary 28, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    Have had continual pain from my right hip replacement. It too is a Stryker/Striker. Dr.tells me there is nothing wrong. Gives me excuses.

  • KathyJanuary 28, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    My hip keeps popping in and out. I dislocated it twice month after surgery then two weeks later

  • FranklinJanuary 24, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    I've had R. Hip replacement L. Hip replacement cadaver tendon in L. Leg then orthoscopic surgery on L. Knee and now on Feb. 13 they are going to operate on my L. Hip Socket total rebuild that will be 4 surgeries on my L. Leg in one year when is enough enough tired of getting cut on and all the Phyiscal Therapy

  • SUSANJanuary 22, 2017 at 9:35 am

    I HAVE FALLEN AND HAVE BEEN GETTING RUN AROUND BY DOCTORS. I AM IN PAIN HAD THE SURGERY DONE JULY 15TH 2009. THE NURSING HOME DID NOT WANT TO SEND ME HOME BACK THEN.HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE BEGINNING AND SUFFERED SO. NO ONE WILLING TO HELP ME. THE DOCTORS STICK TOGETHER. I AM ANGRY, UPSET, HURT AND HAVE TRIED TO STAND ALONE ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT FAIR!!

  • michelleJanuary 21, 2017 at 3:45 am

    Don stay on top of the lawsuit and file a claim anyways. they just now are alerting victims and realizing the problem. statute of limitation begins when a problem is recognized by courts i believe. your rights were violated by being provided unsafe medical procedures and equipment and no one would admit it. i would say highly qualified.

  • DonJanuary 19, 2017 at 7:29 am

    I suffered the same failure after only a few months with a Wright brand cobalt chromium implant, but no one was willing to take the case because it had not been recalled. It has now been 8 years since the first surgery- past most statutes of limitation.

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