Stryker is warning that certain LFit V40 femoral heads made before 2011 can cause hip implant failure. Patients may experience severe pain, hip dislocation, metal poisoning, loss of mobility, and require surgery.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Stryker LFit V40 induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a defective hip implant, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Lawyers Ask Judges to Centralize LFIT V40 Lawsuits
In January 2017, lawyers petitioned judges to centralize six lawsuits involving Stryker’s recalled LFIT V40 femoral heads into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Massachusetts.
Alaska Man Files Stryker LFIT V40 Lawsuit
On January 12, 2017, a lawsuit (PDF) was filed by Patton Witt, a man from Alaska who was implanted with an LFIT V40 and an Accolade TMZF femoral stem in March 2008. The implant developed “extensive corrosion” and the taper-lock wore out, which required revision surgery. He suffered from elevated levels of cobalt in his bloodstream (metallosis) and a large soft-tissue mass in his hip. Click here to read more.
What is the LFit V40?
Stryker Orthopedics manufactures the LFit Anatomic CoCr V40 femoral head. It is an interchangeable “ball” component for total hip replacements that can be attached to a variety of hip stems, including the Accolade TMZF, Accolade 2, Meridian, and Citation.
What is the Problem?
Stryker received an unusually high number of reports involving taper lock failures on LFit V40 femoral heads made before 2011, possibly caused by an interface inconsistency on the taper lock.
What is a Taper Lock Failure?
The taper lock is the part of the hip implant that connects the “ball” part of the hip joint (femoral head) to a hip stem that is inserted in the femur. If it breaks, the femoral head will detach from the femoral neck.
Potential Hazards
Patients will need surgery to replace the femoral head, neck, or drive a new hip stem into the femur. This is physically traumatic and has serious hazards — fractured hip stem, metallic debris, loss of motion, tissue necrosis, noise, loose implant, weak bones, and a shorter leg.
Symptoms of Taper Lock Failure
- Loss of mobility
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Necrosis of tissue
- Metallosis (metal poisoning)
- Dislocation
- Joint instability
- Broken bones around the components
- Leg length discrepancy
- Need for revision surgery
Hazard Alert Issued in Australia
On September 29, 2016, Australian health officials issued a Hazard Alert for seven sizes of the LFit V40. The problem was identified in four products, while three similar products were included as a precaution.
What Should I Do?
Schedule a follow-up appointment with your orthopedic surgeon if you believe you were implanted with a defective component, especially if you have symptoms like pain, decreased mobility, or other problems.
LFit V40 Lawsuits Filed in New Jersey
In May 2014, five lawsuits (PDF) were filed in New Jersey by people who accused Stryker of failing to warn about metal corrosion and toxicity when the LFit V40 was used with the Accolade TMZF hip stem. Lawyers say the “metal-on-metal” combination poses serious risks. Click here to read more.
What Hip Implants Are Affected?
| Catalog Number | Head Diameter | Offset |
| 6260-9-236 | 36mm | +5 |
| 6260-9-240 | 40mm | +4 |
| 6260-9-244 | 44mm | +4 |
| 6260-9-340 | 40mm | +8 |
| 6260·9-440 | 40mm | +12 |
| 6260-9-344 | 44mm | +8 |
| 6260-9-444 | 44mm | +12 |
Do I have a Stryker Hip Implant Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Stryker LFit V40 induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a defective hip implant, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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