Zimmer Knee Replacement Lawyer

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The Zimmer knee replacement device is designed for those who need knee replacement when their knee is no longer active because of pain or injury.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 Zimmer 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.

If you have experienced adverse effects from this device, contact our Zimmer knee replacement lawyers for help filing a claim.

What Are The Types Of Zimmer Knee Replacement Devices?

The following medical device companies manufacture Zimmer knee replacement devices:

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

A dedicated lawyer can help you file a claim against any of these Zimmer knee replacement devices.

Zimmer’s Natural-Knee Durasol All-Poly Patella

The AU-Poly (all-polyethylene) patellar components are made of machined, compression molded with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene powder. It is intended for cemented use only. It has three grooved pegs and cement pockets on the cemented side which are designed to enhance cement fixation, and designed to provide conforming contact during normal and high flexion activities.

Of all the Zimmer components that have faced structural problems and have been recalled, the Natural-Knee Durasul All-Poly Patella was the least publicized. This device was recalled in January 2012 citing an increased risk of fracture, which could lead to complete device failure. When this recall was announced, over 100,000 devices had been implanted in patients.

What Are Complications Of Zimmer’s Natural-Knee Durasol All-Poly Patella?

According to the FDA, serious complications may be associated with any total knee joint replacement procedure. These complications include, but are not limited to:

Loosening of the prosthetic knee components
Dislocation and/or joint instability
Malalignment of the prosthetic knee components
Bone fracture
Nerve damage
Infection
Excessive wear secondary to damage of mating wear surfaces and/or debris that can initiate osteolysis which may result in loosening of the implant

Any complications can help to bolster a Zimmer knee replacement claim with the help of an experienced attorney.

Zimmer’s NexGen LPS-Flex

The NexGen LPS-Flex Mobile Bearing Knee and NexGen T”PS-Mobile Bearing Knee are both semi-constrained, non-linked, posterior-stabilized, rotating platform mobile bearing total knee prostheses, which are part of the larger NexGen Complete Knee Solution, Legacy KneePosterior Stabilized (LPS) system.

Zimmer’s NexGen® LPS-Flex GSF Femoral component was a knee replacement device specifically designed for women. It was believed that this device was the best option for women due to superior fitting parts resulting in increased stability. Unfortunately, several complaints of component loosening and collapse of the component were reported. Eventually, Zimmer voluntarily recalled certain lots of this device stating the implants in those lots had “nonconforming geometry”.

What Are Complications Of Zimmer’s NexGen LPS-Flex?

Component loosening in knee replacement devices can lead to other serious complications such as bone fracture and complete device failure. When a knee implant fails, or other problems are created inside the knee, knee revision surgery is often required. This can be painful and require increased recovery time.

Potential adverse effects associated with mobile bearing knees such as the NexGen LPS-Flex Mobile Bearing Knee and NexGen LPS-Mobile Bearing Knee systems according to the FDA include:

Excessive wear secondary to damage of multiple mating wear surfaces that can initiate osteolysis which may result in loosening of the implant
Tibiofemoral bearing disassembly
Tibiofemoral subluxation
Dislocation and/or joint instability
Knee stiffness

Any of these adverse effects may require medical or surgical intervention.

Zimmer’s NexGen MIS Tibial Components

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. manufactures a number of products for knee replacement procedures. As part of its NexGen knee replacement line, the company made the Zimmer NexGen MIS Tibial Component. This component was created for use in minimally-invasive surgery (MIS). The Zimmer NexGen MIS Tibial Component is used to replace the patient’s tibia, or shinbone. The Zimmer NexGen MIS Tibial Component is used during knee replacement procedures that involve a smaller incision in order to insert the knee replacement device.

The MIS Tibial component was used in minimally invasive procedures, which are surgeries that are conducted with much smaller incisions than regular surgeries. These procedures can reduce blood loss and recovery time if performed correctly. However, Zimmer claimed that reduced visibility due to the minimally invasive procedure lead to surgeons unable to properly align the implant and cement it into place.

What Are Complications Of Zimmer’s NexGen MIS Tibial Components?

Zimmer has consistently maintained that the failure rate is indicative of improper surgical techniques and not because of inherent issues with the design of the product itself. These are some of the complications that Zimmer’s NexGen MIS Tibial Components have.

Component loosening
Bone Fracture
Implant dislocation
Debris from typical use
Disassembly
Misalignment
Component corrosion

To learn how these complications could impact a Zimmer knee replacement claim, speak with a knowledgeable lawyer.

Zimmer’s Persona Tibial Plate

Zimmer’s Persona Tibia includes peg components that are intended to make the bone “grow” into the bone by stabilizing the knee implant. It is attached to the patient’s tibia.

Zimmer suggests that the Persona knee allows for intuitive alignment accuracy, facilitates natural knee motion, reduces the need for surgical compromises and optimizes patient’s personal outcomes. However, it is evidenced that the device has been recalled due to component loosening, and bone fractures. More patients have reportedly gone into surgery to fix the device and take more antibiotics if an infection occurred.

FDA Issues Recommendations About Zimmer Knee Replacement Devices

The FDA states that Zimmer Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of Zimmer knee replacement devices due to an increase in complaints of radiolucent lines and loosening. All sizes and lots of the affected devices are being removed from distribution. Urgent Medical Device Recall notices were issued to affected distributors, hospitals, and surgeons on 2/16/2015 via mail. Customers are asked to review the notification and ensure affected personnel are aware of the contents. All affected product are to be located and quarantined immediately.

Contact a Zimmer knee replacement attorney to learn how a recall can bolster your claim for compensation.

TV Commercial About Zimmer Knee Replacement Lawsuits

How a Zimmer Knee Replacement Attorney Can Help

In order to file a Zimmer knee implant lawsuit, certain criteria must be met. The following criteria relates specifically to Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibia Plate lawsuits:

Must have Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate knee implant
The tibial component is or was loose, or a doctor told the patient that x-ray images indicate that the tibial component may be loose
May have had revision surgery or in need of revision surgery
Tibial component must NOT be cemented into place. Implant identification can confirm if it was cement was used or not.
Must be implanted after November 29, 2012 (date of FDA approval) and before March 12, 2015 (date of recall)

If you have questions about your potential claim, call a Zimmer knee replacement lawyer at our firm.