Patients nationwide have undergone total knee replacement, but not all have had a positive experience. Many people are experiencing serious Zimmer knee complications. As a result, there have been a hoard of lawsuits against the manufacturer of the knee replacements.
History of Zimmer Knee
Replacement of knee joints with artificial implants has been a growing and widespread acceptance in recent years. It offers patients suffering from osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint conditions the opportunity to regain some freedom of movement and reduced pain. The high demand for these products has led manufacturers to develop new products with relative speed.
Zimmer Inc. came onto the market with a family of knee replacement devices known as the NexGen Complete Knee Solution system in the 90’s. Through FDA clearance, the replacements did not require new clinical evaluation of its safety and effectiveness.
Today, Zimmer is facing more than 1,000 lawsuits over complaints that its products can lead to increased pain, loosening and premature failure of the devices.
Zimmer Knee Complications
Zimmer knee implants were marketed to active patients who wanted to achieve more range of motion from their knee implants. Sadly, many of these devices failed, leading to lawsuits and more surgery. Some more serious complications involved in Zimmer knee implants are:
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Loose feeling in the knee
- Persistent knee pain or swelling
- Need for revision surgery
- Popping, crunching or clicking noises in the knee
Zimmer Persona Voluntary Recall
Zimmer Inc. voluntarily recalled 11,000 of their Persona Knee implants, which lead the FDA to issue a warning that the replacements can loosen early and cause serious side effects. The Class II Recall for the implant was issued by the FDA on March 12th. A Class II Recall is when a product can cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, but the problems associated with the Zimmer knee are still able to cause serious complications.
Radiolucent lines are a huge issue when dealing with the Zimmer Persona Knee implant. These are large gaps in between knee replacement components or between the components and the bone, which can cause various problems. Tissue, joint fluid, and implant-wear debris can get lodged into the cracks, which leads to bone damage called osteolysis. This can be an early indicator of implant failure. Radiolucent lines also reveal to a surgeon that a patient may need revision surgery to correct the issue and normally replace the implant.
Zimmer Lawsuits
Zimmer marketed the Persona knee as the “most clinically successful knee replacement more personalized than ever.” However, people who were implanted with the device have experienced serious problems or require revision surgery.
In significant recall cases, manufacturers may attempt to contact patients directly. They will try to gather medical information and offer a settlement, but most of the time the patient is asked to sign documents that release the manufacturer from further responsibility. This means that if there are complications with the Persona Knee, the patient will get no assistance and is not able to file a lawsuit.
Patients who have had the Zimmer Persona knee implant should be made aware of the recall and seek medical assistance. Before discussing any of their medical information with a device manufacturer, patients who have serious complications or have been told they need revision surgery should consult with a lawyer.
This lawsuit is for patients who had a Zimmer Persona knee replacement. If you, or a loved one, had this device implanted and have had complications, contact Hood National Law Group today.
Contact us today at 1-800-214-1010.
