Knee Replacement Lawyer

Recently, there have been increasing concerns about knee replacement devices. Some of these devices have caused serious harm and injury to people who have had knee replacement surgery. If you have received knee replacement surgery and are experiencing complications, you may have a case against the device manufacturer and should contact a knee replacement lawyer for legal help.

What Are Knee Replacement Devices?

Knee replacement devices are designed for those who need knee replacement when their knee is no longer active because of pain or injury. High flexion is a component in knee replacement devices that promotes particular activities that involve constant movement in legs, like sports such as golf, running, or even gardening.

This is a minimally invasive technique that is made to preserve your body’s natural anatomy and is helping many people get back to life and work faster than patients who undergo a traditional knee replacement surgery.

Reported Complications

Although knee surgery is often deemed as safe, there are still a number of complications that can occur when implanting this device.

The most common complications include:

• Surgical complications – Infection, heart attack, or stroke due to surgical trauma can be possible, yet small infections can be treated with antibiotics.
• Blood clots – One of the biggest post-surgical risks of knee replacement include blood clots; which can become life-threatening if they come loose and travel to the lungs.
• Nerve Damage – In rare cases, nerve damage can occur to the knee and regions close to the leg.

FDA released other complications that can be caused by knee replacement devices, which include but aren’t limited to:

• Bone fracture
• Nerve damage
• Infection
• Swelling
• Leg length discrepancies
• Poor range of motion
• Delayed wound healing

It is always crucial to review the risks and complications that can occur with your doctor before deciding to implant a knee replacement device. If complications do occur with your knee replacement, it is important to detail these as best you can for your lawyer.

Bone Fracture

Bone fracture is one of the serious complications that can be caused by a defective knee replacement device. Many patients have reported bone fracture in the knee resulting from knee replacement surgery. This can be extremely painful, debilitating, and may require additional revision surgeries to correct.

Component Loosening

Loosening of the installed device can cause the entire device to fail. This can be extremely dangerous because it can immobilize an individual as well as become extremely painful.

Component loosening has been a reported issue in almost every Zimmer knee recall issued by the FDA. Component loosening has been a documented issue with the Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate, the MIS Tibial Components, and the NexGen LPS-Flex GSF Femoral Component.

It is also the major problem with the ATTUNE Knee System. The unusually high rate of early failure in ATTUNE Knee System is a result of tibial components loosening, causing pain and decreased range of motion as early as two years after surgery.

Radiolucent Lines

Radiolucent lines are small holes or gaps that lie between the device and the bone, or between device components. Usually, radiolucent lines occur because the device was not installed and secured properly. Issues arise when these gaps fill with joint fluid or tissue. Additionally, debris from implant wear can become lodged in the radiolucent lines. If untreated, osteolysis, or bone damage, can occur. This can also lead to component loosening and failure.

Osteolysis

Osteolysis is the process of reverse ossification, or bone damage. The placement of foreign objects inside the body can cause the body to attack its own bone cells. In the case of knee replacement, radiolucent lines can become filled with fluid or debris, which can lead to serious bone damage.

Device Fracture

Device fracture is a serious complication associated with some artificial knee devices. The January 2012 recall of the Natural-Knee II Durasul All-Poly Patella made by Zimmer occured because several reports had identified that the device was prone to fractures. This caused device failure and additional patellar problems.

What Are The Types Of Knee Replacement Devices?

Zimmer Holdings, now known as Zimmer Biomet, manufactures several knee replacement devices, including:

• Zimmer Natural-Knee Durasul All-Poly Patella
• Zimmer NexGen® LPS-Flex GSF
• Zimmer MIS Tibial Component
• Zimmer’s Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate

Additionally, Exactech, Inc. manufactures the Optetrak Knee Implant, and DePuy Synthes manufactures the ATTUNE Knee System.

Recently, there have recently been several reports of these devices failing due to loosening of the tibial components. If you are looking to file a lawsuit against any of these knee replacement manufacturers, your best bet is to work with a skilled attorney.

Zimmer Knee Replacement Recalls

In the last five years, Zimmer has voluntarily recalled four knee replacement products. Complaints regarding severe complications associated with the devices have led to these recalls. Some of the complications that have been reported include component loosening, radiolucent lines, osteolysis (bone damage), and component fractures. All of these side-effects can lead to severe pain, and in some cases, patients require revision or replacement surgery to correct the problem. It is the responsibility of the device manufacturer to produce and sell safe products to the public. When devices fail and recalls are issued, patients who suffered have legal rights to seek compensation. If you or a loved one has experienced complications from knee implant surgery, you may be entitled to a settlement.

There are also knee replacement devices that have not yet been recalled from the market. If you are experiencing complications from a knee implant that has not been recalled yet, you still may have a claim against the manufacturer. Knee recall lawsuits seek fair compensation to patients who have been harmed or injured due to knee replacement surgery. Compensation in these cases includes money for pain and suffering, medical bills incurred as a result of the complications, lost income, spousal damages, and punitive damages. Knee recall lawsuits often result in significant settlements.

DePuy ATTUNE Knee System Recall

DePuy recalled the ATTUNE Knee System in 2015. The reason for the recall was the potential for the Balseal, a small wire spring located on the post feature of the ATTUNE Knee Tibial Articulation Surface Instruments used in training, to become damaged and disassociate.

If the Balseal is separated from the post, it has the potential to enter the surgical site and be left in the patient if the surgeon is unaware of the disassociation.

Call an Attorney to Learn More About Filing a Defective Knee Replacement Lawsuit

Our knee replacement lawyers can answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you file a claim for damages if you have been harmed by a knee implant.