Zimmer Knee Problems: Worse Than Other Knee Replacement Problems?
Every year, more than 500,000 knee replacement procedures take place in the United States. The vast majority of these surgeries work out as planned, with knee replacement systems functioning beyond their minimum expected life, and sometimes outlasting their recipient. But sometimes knee replacement surgery doesn’t go as planned. Sometimes a patient develops an infection or falls soon after surgery, incurring a fracture and requiring further surgery.
Zimmer knee replacement failure may lead to serious complications
Some Zimmer knee recipients develop knee problems from replacement parts that may have manufacturing defects and sometimes knee complications arise from parts that were designed poorly in the first place.
It can be quite upsetting to find out that you have been implanted with a defective medical device. Unfortunately, it is rarely a simple problem to solve. For one, medical device manufacturers may not readily admit their products have shortcomings.
Manufacturers such as DePuy – which has been recently implicated in notable hip replacement defects – and Zimmer Inc. – which has been named in numerous reports of Zimmer knee problems – only recall a problematic orthopedic system or component after considerable public outcry. Often, manufacturers keep a product in commerce even after it has been named in adverse events reports and linked to high rates of device failure.
Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee implants reports higher than expected number of complications
This is the case for some components in Zimmer’s NexGen knee product line, which has been named in numerous reports of Zimmer knee problems over the past several years. Despite a number of smaller NexGen component recalls and an orthopedic surgeon linking certain NexGen models to high rates of Zimmer knee replacement failure, the company has steadfastly kept its NexGen line on the market.
Today, a number of NexGen recipients have filed a Zimmer knee lawsuit seeking compensation for Zimmer knee problems such as component loosening, pain and total Zimmer knee failure. The lawsuits likely won’t keep Zimmer from selling the products to future knee recipients. In fact, the increased scrutiny could indirectly compel the company to maintain the status quo; pulling the product now could be viewed in some courtrooms as an admission of negligence.
And it is still unclear if the NexGen product line indeed carries more risk of Zimmer knee replacement failure than other knee replacement products, manufactured by both Zimmer and other device manufacturers. Consumers may not be able to determine which products are the safest knee replacement options.
It is important to consult with a trusted orthopedic surgeon to determine which knee replacement system might be the best one for you.
