Defective Knee Replacement Implants

When you underwent knee replacement surgery, you expected it would be major surgery. What you didn’t expect was that the defective artificial knee joint would complicate your recovery and cause ongoing pain, swelling and mobility problems. Unfortunately, several knee replacement systems and components have been recalled after numerous complaints from patients.

When a knee implant is recalled, it means that a patient faces another round of surgery to remove the faulty medical device in addition to correcting any medical problems the artificial knee joint has caused. Patients who have received defective knee replacement implants can hold the manufacturer legally responsible for the medical complications they have suffered, including additional surgery. 

If you or a family member has suffered health problems after undergoing surgery to implant an artificial knee, contact the Florida knee implant lawyers of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, for help today at 1-800-299-8878 or fill out our online contact form. We serve victims of defective knee implants in South Florida and the Treasure Coast, including in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Jupiter, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Vero Beach.

Knee Implant Failures Have Led To Numerous Complaints

Hundreds of thousands of partial and total knee replacement procedures are performed in the U.S each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Today, people of almost any age receive knee implants for relief from arthritis pain. As the baby boomer generation ages, demand for knee replacement surgery will increase.

Because of the many parts that must fit together in an artificial knee, any manufacturing flaw can cause the knee replacement to fail or detach. Younger, overweight men are especially at risk of knee replacement joint failure.

Over the many years that artificial knee implants have been used, there have been numerous complaints from patients and several recalls of faulty medical devices. Complications include loosening of the components of the knee implant system, scar tissue that can limit motion and injury to the nerves around the knee.

Among the artificial knee replacement systems and devices that have been subject to recall are:

• Stryker EIUS Unicompartmental Knee System – In January 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said two National Joint Registries suggest that the EIUS Unicompartmental System is associated with a higher revision rate than other unicompartmental knee replacement devices.

• Zimmer NexGen Complete Knee Solution MIS Tibial – In 2010, the FDA posted a class 2 recall of the Zimmer NexGen system because of more than 100 patient complaints that the implant came loose and required corrective surgery.

• Depuy P.F.C. E Knee System and Depuy Preservation Uni Knee All Poly Tibia  – In 2007, the FDA said that an incomplete seal on the inner pouch allows exposure to oxygen, which may result in oxidation and would affect long-term performance of the implant.

The FDA approves many medical devices without clinical testing or inspection of the device if the manufacturer states that the device is similar to one already on the market. A 2011 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine noted that of 113 medical device recalls from 2005 to 2009 affecting products that posed a serious health risk, 71 percent had been approved without clinical testing and FDA inspection.

Do You Have a Defective Knee Replacement? Get Legal Help

Florida residents who have suffered undue pain, swelling and mobility problems after receiving artificial knee replacement implants should contact their doctors or orthopedists to confirm the brand and model of their implanted medical device. Obtain a copy of the operative report from your original implant surgery. It will provide your knee implant’s brand and model names, and its lot and batch numbers.

It is crucial that knee implant patients refrain from signing any agreement without being advised to do so by an experienced knee replacement attorney.

When a medical device fails and causes injury, including an additional surgical procedure, the patient may have grounds to seek compensation for medical costs, as well as pain, suffering and other losses, through a product liability lawsuit. Florida has certain restrictions on faulty medical device lawsuits. This makes it imperative to contact an experienced defective medical device / knee replacement lawyer such as those at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, as soon as possible.

Contact Our Florida Knee Replacement Lawyers Today

Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, has investigated defective medical products, including artificial knee implants, throughout South Florida and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach.

If you’ve been hurt, our Florida knee replacement lawyers will be on your side. We are knowledgeable in every aspect of Florida product liability and personal injury law, and we work hard for our clients. We’re willing to fight for justice on your behalf.

Call us today toll free at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online form. We can provide you with a free and confidential case evaluation.