Stryker is once again the target of legal action, this time for their Accolade TMZF Femoral Hip Stem technology. Readers may recall previous legal complaints of premature hip failure with Stryker’s Trident System and the Rejuvenate and ABG II modular neck stems. The plaintiffs claim that the company sold the product already knowing about the dangers of the materials used for its manufacturing.
Introduced in 2003, the Trident System was recalled in January 2008, which resulted in a stream of claims of strict product liability and negligence. Patients complained about a series of complications and failures, such as:
Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II modular neck stems have been an even bigger catastrophe. Months after receiving the hip implant, patients began to report pain, inflammation, and various other issues signaling premature hip failure. Stryker voluntarily recalled these products on 6 July, 2012 acknowledging that the metal parts were prone to corrosion and fretting. Other problems associated with the metal-on-metal Stryker products included cobalt metal poisoning, tissue damage, bone loss, and pseudotumors.
Stryker is now under fire for their Accolade TMZF Femoral Hip Stem, which they recalled in July 2009. This product is manufactured using a beta titanium alloy, intended to allow for increased flexibility, tensile strength, and elasticity. To improve the interface and to facilitate the mechanical engagement with the bone surfaces, Accolade implants are sprayed with a circumferential plasma spray. Despite the encouraging description, many experts have criticized metal-on-metal hip replacement solutions.
Lawsuits against Stryker, in relation to their Accolade product, were filed on 20 May, 2014 in New Jersey. Much like their other metal-on-metal implants, Accolade TMZF has been accused of suffering from a high rate of premature failure caused by an unreasonably high risk of corrosion and fretting. The product is also allegedly prone to releasing metallic debris, like cobalt and chromium particles, which can result in metallosis (heavy metal poisoning).
Plaintiffs claim that Stryker knew about the danger of these materials for years prior to the release of the Accolade system, in 2000. These metals are no longer used by Stryker, and since then they have developed the Accolade II femoral stem using a new titanium alloy.
The lawsuits filed against Stryker for their Accolade TMZF product only add to the growing amount of litigation against the firm. By the end of 2013, there were over 200 Rejuvenate claims pending in state and federal courts and the number has radically grown since then. Stryker is accused of:
Tens of thousands of patients have received Stryker hip implant technology and the number of individuals reporting metal poisoning and other adverse side effects has grown on a daily basis.
If you have experienced undue pain and complications with your Stryker hip replacement implants you may have a personal injury case against Stryker. Don’t hesitate to contact Pope McGlamry to schedule a case review and legal consultation with our expert legal team.
