Stryker Hip Replacement Recall Lawsuit

You’ve undergone the life-disrupting process of a full hip replacement, hoping to get back to the full and active lifestyle you led before your hip started ailing. But what if your metal-on-metal hip implant, which was supposed to last for at least 15 years, begins to break down after just a few years? What if that same hip implant is the cause of other symptoms you have been experiencing since the surgery, such as thyroid problems or vision impairment?

Our attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are currently investigating claims that Stryker Orthopaedic — the manufacturer behind previously recalled metal-on-metal hip implants Rejuvenate and ABG II — has yet another metal-on-metal hip implant product on the market that may be hurting consumers: the Accolade V40 femoral head.

If you received a hip implant, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and other related losses. To find out if you qualify, please complete our free case review form today – even if you are unsure as to which metal-on-metal hip implant you received. We can help to verify which hip replacement you’ve received.

Stryker: A History of Potentially Dangerous Hip Replacements

This isn’t the first time Stryker has faced claims alleging that one of their products causes harm to consumers. In the past, Stryker recalled two metal hip products, known as the Rejuvenate and ABG II, over concerns that the parts could fret or corrode, resulting in pain, swelling and inflammation in the surrounding tissue.

Although the design of these Stryker hip implants differed from traditional metal-on-metal hip implants, which involve a metal ball and socket, it is believed that the recalled neck stems caused problems similar to those experienced in patients implanted with the recalled DePuy ASR systems and other metal-on-metal hip replacements. These problems include premature hip implant failure and metal poisoning, which can lead to a number of problems affecting the heart, nervous system and thyroid.

This recall led to thousands of lawsuits from patients concerned that they would have to go through the difficult surgery and recovery associated with hip replacement yet again, due to a defective implant.

In 2014, Stryker reached a settlement with these patients that cost the company an estimated $1 billion, according to a New York Times report. But the company continued to manufacture other metal-on-metal hip implant products, despite the known issues with this type of implant, as opposed to plastic or ceramic.

There are potentially 44,000 affected hip implants around the world as a result of the V40’s allegedly defective nature.

Complaints about the Accolade V40

Much like the recalled Rejuvenate and ABG II, Stryker’s Accolade V40 has been met with allegations of consumer harm.

The Accolade V40, also known as the Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40, is a cobalt and chromium alloy femoral head that is used in conjunction with modular hip implants including the Accolade TMZF, Accolade 2 Stems, Meridian Stems, Citation Stems, for hip replacement surgery.

Stryker has indicated in a letter that some models of the V40 femoral heads manufactured prior to 2011 have a higher than expected incidence of taper lock failure. Although there have been no recalls in the United States, the Accolade V40 has been recalled in both Canada and Australia.

There are potentially 44,000 affected hip implants around the world as a result of the V40’s allegedly defective nature. The Accolade V40 is believed to wear down prematurely due to the friction between the neck piece and stem, resulting in microscopic metallic debris. These debris can cause deterioration of tissue around the joint, loosening of the hip replacement, dissociation of the femoral head from the hip stem, and other damage that can render the implant ineffective before its advertised end of lifespan.

This friction associated with metal-on-metal hip implants has another harmful side effect to consumers: metal poisoning. This is also called “metallosis,” and is caused by metallic debris entering a patient's blood stream, potentially leading to serious medical problems.