What is the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head?

The Stryker LFIT (Low Friction Ion Treatment) V40 femoral head is a hip replacement device component used in Stryker’s Accolade TMZF, Accolade 2, and Citation and Meridian stems. The LFIT V40 is made by Stryker Orthopaedics and is implanted in patients who are in need of hip replacement surgery.

Current hip implant devices typically involve numerous components that can be adapted to individual hip replacements, making them a better fit for each patient. These components include the femoral head, femoral stem, femoral neck, and other parts. The Stryker LFIT V40 is a femoral head, which fits into the hip socket.

How is it different from other hip replacement devices?

The LFIT V40 is designed to be custom-built to the individual anatomy of each patient, so the hip implant is sized appropriately for every person. The Stryker hip implant was marketed as being stronger than previous implants and not as susceptible to regular wear and tear.

According to marketing materials from Stryker, the hips are designed to enhance stability, maximize range of movement, and minimize dislocation.

What is a taper lock?

A taper lock is part of a hip implant that connects the femoral head to the femoral neck.

What are concerns about the LFIT V40?

Among the concerns about the LFIT V40 are:

  • Metallic debris (metallosis)
  • Spontaneous dislocation
  • Taper lock failure

These situations can cause severe pain, limited mobility, and other serious issues for patients who received the Stryker hip implant.

Has the Stryker LFIT V40 been recalled?

The Stryker LFIT V40 has reportedly been the subject of a quiet recall, in which the manufacturer has encouraged doctors to follow up with patients. On August 29, 2016, Stryker sent a letter—titled “Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification”— advising doctors to follow up with patients who received certain lots of the LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40TM Femoral Heads, manufactured before 2011.

On August 24, 2016, Health Canada issued a recall of the LFIT V40, noting there were “higher than expected complaints of taper lock failure” for specific lots of the LFIT Anatomic COCR V40TM Femoral Heads that were manufactured before 2011. Meanwhile, on September 27, 2016, the Australian Government Department of Health published a Hazard Alert concerning Stryker LFIT V40 femoral heads.

Meanwhile, on September 27, 2016, the Australian Government Department of Health published a Hazard Alert concerning Stryker LFIT V40 femoral heads.

What does the FDA say about the LFIT V40?

So far, the FDA has not issued any warnings concerning the LFIT. Some critics believe it is not long before a formal Stryker LFIT V40 recall is announced.

Have there been lawsuits concerning the LFIT V40?

Yes, lawsuits have been filed against Stryker concerning the LFIT V40. Those lawsuits allege the company defectively designed and manufactured the LFIT V40 and failed to warn patients about the risk of corrosion and toxicity.

How do I know if I have a Stryker LFIT V40 implanted?

Patients who received a hip implant device but are not certain if it was a Stryker LFIT V40, can contact their orthopedic surgeon. That information will be on record and will indicate if a Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head was used in their hip implant surgery.

How can I tell if my hip implant is failing?

Not all hip implants fail early, but there are some symptoms of early hip failure. If you notice any of the following signs of an early hip implant failure, contact your doctor to discuss your options.

Symptoms of a hip implant failure

  • Difficulty walking
  • Pain at the site of the implant
  • Slipping sensation in the hip joint
  • Pain when walking
  • Weakness in the hip
  • Unusual sounds (such as popping) when moving

Complications of a hip implant failure

  • Loss of mobility
  • Pain requiring revision surgery
  • Inflammation
  • Joint instability
  • Problems with surrounding tissue
  • Bone fracture
  • Dislocation of the implant

What are the potential consequences of a Stryker LFIT V40 failure?

Failure of the Stryker hip implant can be catastrophic for patients, including spontaneous dislocation of the hip. Patients who suffer a Stryker hip implant failure may require revision surgery to remove and replace the failing device and reconstructive surgery, depending on whether there was damage to the patient’s tissue or bones.

Revision surgery is not as straightforward as initial hip implant surgery. It is more painful and requires longer recovery time. It also opens the patient up to additional risks associated with extra surgeries.

What is metallosis?

Metallosis is a metal poisoning that occurs when metal particles from metal-on-metal hip devices come loose from the device and build up in the tissue and blood. These metal shavings can cause metal blood poisoning, which can be disastrous for patients.

Symptoms of metallosis

  • Swelling and inflammation at the surgical site
  • Discoloration of the tissue at the surgical site
  • Headaches
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness

What is taper lock failure?

The taper lock connects the hip implant’s femoral head to the femoral stem (which is inserted in the femur). If the taper lock breaks, the femoral head can detach from the femoral stem. When taper lock failure occurs, patients can experience loss of mobility, pain, leg length discrepancy, joint instability, and broken bones.

Has Stryker made other hip replacement devices?

Yes, Stryker has also made the Rejuvenate, and ABG II modular-neck hip stems. Those devices were recalled in 2012 due to reports that the hip implants were failing at a higher than expected rate. Among the issues reportedly linked to the Stryker Rejuvenate and the Stryker ABG II were metallosis.

Have there been lawsuits concerning those devices?

Yes. More than 4,000 lawsuits were filed against Stryker concerning the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant devices. Many lawsuits were settled in 2014. That settlement was expanded in 2016 to include patients who underwent revision surgery between 2014 and 2016.

Can I file a Stryker LFIT V40 lawsuit?

Yes, if you had a Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head implanted and suffered serious injuries or side effects, you could be eligible to file a lawsuit against the maker of the device.

Your lawsuit could seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages if you missed time from work, and pain and suffering damages linked to loss of mobility or reduced quality of life.