File A Knee Replacement Lawsuit For Faulty Implant Devices

Knee Replacement Surgery - What To Look For

Every year, there are thousands of patients that need to have a knee replacement surgery. The procedure itself can be very intricate and complicated and requires a special artificial implant created to last upwards to 20 years. After the initial surgery, patients then undergo a lengthy recovery process and rehabilitation designed to get them back on their feet and return to a normal active lifestyle. 

In some cases, the knee replacement device that was supposed to end the pain and suffering can be the cause of worsening complications that can cause injuries. If a patient receives a defective knee implant, they could experience a variety of signs such as:

• Stiffness
• Poor range of motion
• Knee pain
• Difficulty applying pressure on the knee
• Instability

When a defective implant causes complications like these, in most cases a revision surgery will need to be made and the initial implant is deemed a failure. Aside from the unexpected secondary surgery, extended time off of work, and lost wages, the manufacturer of the defective implant must be held accountable for the injuries and financial burden that has been placed on the patient.

Defective Knee Replacement Symptoms 

As mentioned above, there are a few first indicators of a faulty implant that can be noticed in the early stages post-surgery. Within 10 years of the knee replacement surgery, there a few more serious signs that the knee replacement system was a failure and may need a knee revision surgery: 

• The weakening of bones surrounding the implant
• Difficulty walking caused by stiffness or instability
• Fracture of the knee implant device
• Periprosthetic injections following the surgery

Knee Replacement Lawsuit - Reasons To Seek Help From Our Product Liability Lawyers

When a patient has to undergo a knee revision surgery, it not only causes unnecessary pain and suffering, but also creates outrageous medical expenses, continued medical treatments, and ongoing medical care.

These expenses associated with knee replacement devices are now put on the shoulders of injured victims who have increased medical bills, lost wages, and pain caused by a faulty knee replacement. By filing knee replacement lawsuits, injured patients can seek compensation to pay for the now accumulated medical costs, loss of income, and overall pain and suffering.

Knee revision surgeries are usually caused by the following design defects or knee replacement manufacturers device failure such as:

• Materials loosening due to cement failure
• Faulty screws in knee implants
• Incorrect placement of medical device
• Premature failure of total knee system

Genetic Issues Associated With Knee Replacements

There are a variety of genetic conditions that cause patients to require knee surgery during the span of their lifetime. Hereditary conditions like the ones described below are commonly associated with patients who suffer side effects that later lead to a necessary total knee replacement surgery.

• Rheumatoid arthritis - Common indications for a knee replacement implant include limited knee movement, pain, and stiffness in joints.
• Osteoarthritis - Several factors increase the risk of developing knee complications that can later require a knee replacement device such as age, gender, heredity, and other illnesses.
• Juvenile arthritis - Those it isn't common, kids can also develop a form of arthritis that can lead to a knee replacement at a young age if not treated quickly.

Knee Replacement Lawsuits - DePuy Attune Knee And Zimmer

In 2017, two major device manufacturers for knee replacements had lawsuits filed against them. The first filed in September 2017, was filed against the DePuy Synthes' Attune Knee System. The lawsuit claimed the device loosened causing excruciating pain to the patient that required knee replacement surgeries. The lawsuit goes on to claim that the cement that's responsible for connecting the implant to the bones failed, causing the material to loosen, create major swelling, pain, and lost range of motion for the patient.

The same year another knee replacement lawsuit was filed against Zimmer Nexgen knee implant, claiming the faulty knee replacement implant caused close to eight times as many defective incidences reported to the Food and Drug Administration.

Other device manufacturers have been hit with a series of knee replacement lawsuits including Zimmer, Biomet, Smith & Nephew, and DePuy, all known as the most widely-used orthopedic companies in the world.

How Do I Know If I Have A Defective Knee Implant Case?

Our experienced knee replacements attorneys have years of knowledge handling these types of defective knee replacement lawsuits. Our legal team can review your medical history, acquire additional documentation needed, and file a legal claim against the company or device manufacturers responsible for your knee complications. 

Many of these large manufacturers could potentially have ongoing recall notices on their knee replacement implants, so there is a chance a defective product lawsuit might not be necessary in order to receive compensation. Likewise, defective knee replacement devices are also revealed by the number of reports against the manufacturer, monitored by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA), adverse event database. 

Contact Our Product Liability Attorneys To File A Knee Replacement Lawsuit Today

You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries if you or a family member has had to undergo a revision surgery for a failed knee replacement. If you believe you may have a knee replacement lawsuit and would like us to review the details, contact our knee replacement lawyers today for a free case evaluation.