Exactech Knee Replacement Lawyer

Exactech knee replacement devices are designed for patients who require knee replacement surgery. This procedure becomes necessary when the knee is no longer active due to pain or injury.

The Exactech devices are designed to work in harmony with the knee muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The goal of knee replacement surgery is to reduce pain, increase stability, and improve range of motion. Call an Exactech knee replacement lawyer if you have suffered injuries or a worsened medical condition after receiving one of these devices.

Key Takeaways:

Recalled Products: The recall affects Optetrak, Optetrak Logic, and Truliant knee systems, and many Connexion GXL hip liners.
Defect Cause: The plastic components were improperly packaged, causing them to oxidize and degrade before or after implantation.
Injuries: Reported injuries include severe pain, instability, premature failure, bone loss, and the need for revision surgery.
Status: While Exactech recently agreed to a $8 million settlement regarding false claims to the government, individual patient lawsuits are still ongoing.
Company Status: In late 2024, Exactech filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following thousands of product liability lawsuits.

What are the Types of Exactech Knee Replacement Devices?

Most notably, Exactech manufactures the Optetrak knee implant devices. The company manufactures numerous other knee implant devices, but the Optetrak system was unique in that its design featured a “finned” tibial tray, unlike previous Exactech devices that featured a “fit” tibial tray.

The finned design proved to be problematic, as it did not promote adherence to the surgical cement used to attach it. This prevented the device from being able to endure the stress placed on the joint.

In an effort to remedy the defective devices, Exactech changed its Optetrak knee implants to have a fit tibial tray, just two years after the device’s initial release.

What are the Complications of the Exactech Optetrak Knee Implant?

According to the FDA, serious complications may be associated with any total knee joint replacement procedure. In the case of an Optetrak knee implant, if the device has not adhered to the surgical cement properly because of the “finned” design, you could experience these symptoms:

Loose tibial component
Pain
Limited mobility
Knee swelling and sensitivity
Visible loosening
Necessary revision surgery due to loosening

Anyone looking to file a lawsuit against Exactech should discuss the symptoms they’ve experienced from their knee replacement with their attorney.

Was the Exactech Optetrak Knee Implant Recalled?

Exactech issued a recall in 2022 for knee and ankle replacement systems after it was discovered they contained a defective plastic insert, causing them to fail prematurely. The company notified orthopedic surgeons and surgical centers in February 2022 so they could communicate the recall to their patients.

The company had previously recalled other products, including knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts, which were used in over 100,000 surgeries. The devices affected include:

Optetrak®
Optetrak Logic®
Tuliant®
Vantage®

The defects were caused by improper packaging of the devices in defective vacuum-sealed bags, which resulted in the oxidation of the materials, resulting in the degradation of the materials over time.

Initially, the Optetrak devices were brought to the market via the FDA’s 510(k) process of approval. This means that the device simply had to have a similar intended use and be at least as safe and effective as a device already on the market. If the device is determined to be substantially equivalent to an existing device, no further testing needs to be done.

This “fast-tracked” method clearly prevented a serious device defect from being detected, and hundreds of patients suffered complications as a result. To see if you qualify for a lawsuit against Exactech for your knee replacement, contact one of our experienced lawyers today.

How Do I Know If I Have a Recalled Exactech Device?

Exactech published a list of the affected devices on their website, including their product codes, descriptions, and serial numbers. These include:

Optetrak®
Optetrak Logic®
Tuliant®

If you believe you may have an affected device, check the online tool to determine whether or not your device is on the recall list.

What Do I Do If I Have a Recalled Exactech Device?

If you have a recalled Exactech device, call an experienced defective knee replacement lawyer to assist with filing a lawsuit. To submit a claim, you will need to provide the following:

The date of your replacement surgery
Name of the surgeon who performed the surgery
Serial number of the implant

If you do not have the information in your personal records, you may need to reach out to your surgeon’s office to ask what type of implant you have.

File an Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit With the Help of an Attorney

If you received an Exactech Optetrak knee implant and suffered serious complications, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries by working with an Exactech knee replacement lawyer. To file an Exactech knee replacement lawsuit, certain criteria must be met, including:

Received an Exactech knee implant in 2004 or later
Had revision surgery to replace the implant
Had the original implant for eight years or less before revision surgery