The Stryker Corporation, a multi-billion dollar medical technology and joint replacement manufacturer, is once again making headlines for all the wrong reasons, as their LFIT V40 CoCr Femoral Head is generating reports of catastrophic failures necessitating painful and expensive surgery for some patients who received the implant. The LFIT V40 device is a hip implant that utilizes a metallic shaft, which attaches to the patient’s femur, leading up to the “head” of the device that attaches to a joint connected to the patient’s hip. The problematic area of the V40 device lies in the head, which has been reported to corrode over the course of its life and eventually weaken to the point where the head may slip out of the joint or snap off completely.
As the metal of the head corrodes, tiny metallic particles (which could be a combination of cobalt, nickel, chromium or titanium) may be released into the patient’s bloodstream, causing a type of blood poisoning known as “metallosis.” Advanced metallosis can result in complete bone and tissue death, leading to severe pain and other medical issues in the affected patient.
Symptoms of metallosis include:
- General hypersensitivity that results in skin rashes
- Cardiomyopathy (heart problems)
- Sensory changes such as with vision or hearing
- Depression or other unusual cognitive changes
- Kidney complications
- Thyroid issues such as a throbbing, painful neck, weight gain, fatigue or feeling cold constantly
If the femoral head corrodes enough to slip out of the artificial hip joint, surgeons can repair the damage by fitting the head inside a different cap. However, if the femoral head completely snaps off the device, known as a “dissociation,” then the corrective revision surgery is much less simple and much more costly to the patient in both pain and suffering as well as recovery time and financial burden.
In the instance of a dissociation, surgeons must open up the patient’s leg to access the entire device. They must mechanically separate the shaft of the implant from the femur, which is painful and arduous since the device is designed to grow into the femur as it stays in the body. In many cases, the femur must be broken to remove the implant. This revision surgery is clearly taxing on hip replacement patients, many of whom are elderly.
This is the third major issue with a Stryker product since 2012
In 2012, Stryker had to officially recall and cease production of two of their hip replacement products, the Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stem, due to similar issues with corrosion causing problems in their recipients. Although the V40 Femoral Heads have not been officially recalled, they are likely to face legal battles from patients who have suffered as a result of their implementation.
To have three separate devices cause similar issues is an indication that something is wrong with Stryker’s technology. Since they are such a large company, paying out settlements and handling court fees is no issue for a company worth nearly $10 billion. They also have access to legal representatives that will ensure they pay the least amount of money in claims possible.
This is where the legal experts of Altman & Altman LLP come in. We have over 40 years of experiencing fighting companies like Stryker who fail to ensure the safety of products they create and distribute. We have the legal knowledge and expertise to competently navigate complex healthcare litigation and secure you the compensation you are entitled to for your pain, suffering and lost wages as a result of recovering from unnecessary surgeries. If you or somebody you love has been negatively affected by a Stryker hip implant product, contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free legal consultation today. We don’t make a dime unless you are successful in your claim. Call us today at 617-492-3000 or toll-free 1-800-481-6199 – or click on the chat button below to speak to a live representative.