Zimmer NexGen knee implants are supposed to provide patients with new artificial knees to last at least 15-20 years. However, there have been numerous reports that the implants have been loosening; causing pain, discomfort and other complications.
With the level of complaints, the implants are believed to be defective and a recall has been issued by the U.S. regulators. However, this isn’t a broken toy that you can just bring to a supermarket for a refund; individuals who have had the knee replacement surgery may be at risk of the implant moving or loosening, and if this occurs, the individual may need knee revision surgery.
The Zimmer NexGen Knee implants affected in the recall include:
- Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex and CR-Flex Porous
- Zimmer NexGen MIS
- Zimmer NexGen LPS
The Zimmer Natural Knee II Durasal All-Poly Patella has also been recalled by the FDA as the implant has been reported to fracture inside the body after surgery. In total, around 100,000 of these implants have been inserted in U.S. patients already.
Back in 2010, over 437 million knee implants from several knee implant manufacturers were recalled after fears that they could “kill or permanently harm” individuals. An American study in the same year found that Zimmer knee implants have a failure rate of 36%. For patients who have already endured agony and probably countless alternative and less invasive remedies, the high risk of failure is unwelcome news. After a few years, the failed implants can cause patients to suffer from chronic pain, infection and discomfort in mobility.
Lawsuits in the U.S.
One individual who had a Zimmer NexGen knee implant in the U.S. has accused Zimmer of knowingly using a product that “created a high risk of unreasonably dangerous side effect” for “financial gain above the rights and safety” of patients.
Zimmer is now in the middle of a number of lawsuits in the U.S. Recently, Zimmer attempted to obtain claimants’ statements, but the medical experts involved said that it was inappropriate. The Physicians Medical Review provides law firms with medical professionals for litigation purposes. At the moment, different claims are rendering different results. When a defective product harms the interest of multiple consumers, Group Actions are usually better suited so that one unified claim can be brought to court.
Recalls in the U.K.
Around a decade ago, Smith & Nephew Knee implants were recalled in the U.K. for excessive iron content. Just under 600 implants were recalled across the U.K and some European countries. As the recalled Zimmer NexGen knee replacement implants are used in England, patients who have the implants are encouraged to check with their doctors if their implant show any signs of defect.
In December of 2015, the U.K.’s MHRA produced an urgent Field Safety Notice to all risk managers and surgeons to recall the following Zimmer products:
- NexGen Precoat Tibial Plate
- NextGen Option Tibial Plate
Group Action
As previously mentioned, Group Actions are far more successful and better suited in situations that involve large medical recalls. We have helped thousands of victims for injury cases, which include large and well known group actions.
If you have had a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement implant in the U.K. and you are suffering from pain and discomfort or had the revision surgery, get in touch with us to see if you have a claim for financial compensation.
The content of this post/page was considered accurate at the time of the original posting and/or at the time of any posted revision. The content of this page may, therefore, be out of date. The information contained within this page does not constitute legal advice. Any reliance you place on the information contained within this page is done so at your own risk.
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