Published by Since 2003, more than 150,000 Zimmer NexGen knee implants have been sold, and many patients who received the artificial knee system have required additional revision surgery to address implant problems.
Knee Implant Update 7/25/12: A new study has identified a disturbing trend of heart attacks among patients who undergo hip or knee replacement procedures, particularly in the days and weeks immediately following surgery. The heart attack risk was found to be some 30 times higher during the first two weeks after the operation, raising questions about what – if anything – doctors may be able to do to reduce the danger of hip and knee hip implant surgeries.
Zimmer Knee Replacement Lawsuit Update 7/13/12: Nearly a year after a panel of judges consolidated all federal Zimmer knee replacement lawsuits into multidistrict litigation (MDL), lawyers involved with the cases are scheduled to meet with the MDL court today to discuss the upcoming proceedings.
When the Zimmer litigation was originally consolidated in August 2011, the MDL panel transferred 18 cases from different federal districts throughout the country to the Northern District of Illinois for coordinated management during pretrial proceedings.
Since then, more than 440 additional lawsuits filed in other U.S. District Courts have been transferred into the Zimmer NexGen MDL, with nearly 100 of the complaints coming in the last month alone.
Free Knee Replacement Case Evaluation: If you feel you qualify for damages or remedies that might be awarded in a possible knee replacement lawsuit, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.
Table Of Contents
What’s the problem?
The Zimmer NexGen knee replacement system has been linked to a number of problems, including reports of pain, loosening of the implant, and failure of the replacement knee leading to revision surgery.
The Zimmer NexGen CR and Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral components are replacement knee products that have been associated with a high number of reports of:
- Knee Replacement Failure
- Knee Replacement Revision Surgery
- Loosening of Replacement Knees
- Other Knee Complications and Knee Pain
In March 2010, data was presented by a group of knee surgeons that nearly 9% of patients examined after two years required revision knee surgery, and 36% showed signs of replacement knee loosening.
According to this 2019 research from the National Institute of Health, total knee arthroplasty is a common procedure, with extremely good clinical results. Despite this success, it produces 20% unsatisfactory results [1].
As stated by the National Institute of Health, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting an important part of the population aged 65 or older, with a reported prevalence higher than 30% in the United States [2].
Looking at the epidemiologic data, 10% to 15% of the general population present dermatologic symptoms caused by metal hypersensitivity. – National Institute of Health.
At issue is a “high-flex” porous femoral component that attaches to the bottom of the thigh bone. In most knee replacement systems, a type of surgical cement is used to hold the component in place.
However, the NexGen CR-Flex does not use cement to keep it in position. Surgeons say that this may lead to a loosening of the component that requires revision surgery.
It appears that the manufacturer was aware of the risk of problems with Zimmer NexGen knee replacements, yet failed to take adequate steps to reduce the risk of injury or warn consumers. Financial compensation may be available through a Zimmer NexGen knee lawsuit if one of these knee replacements resulted in loosening, failure, or other knee complications.
FAQs
What evidence is needed to support a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement lawsuit?
Evidence includes medical records documenting the knee replacement surgery and complications, proof of the specific implant used, expert medical testimony linking the implant to the complications, and documentation of related expenses and losses.
What compensation can be sought in a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement lawsuit?
Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and costs for revision surgery or additional treatments. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if gross negligence is proven.
Can a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement lawsuit lead to changes in implant safety standards?
Yes, successful lawsuits and the uncovering of defects can lead to changes in safety standards, increased scrutiny, and improvements in manufacturing practices to enhance patient protection.
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See all related medical device lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Do I have a Knee Replacement Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in knee replacement lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6379738/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8149562/
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