The Exactech knee replacement has allegedly been fraught with complications for a certain percentage of prosthesis recipients.

Exactech performed a study of Optetrak knee replacement patients a little over two years after they had been implanted with one of the units. The study was undertaken in response to a high complaint rate to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by former total knee arthroscopy patients and or their doctors.

The participants in the Exactech knee replacement study numbered 106 with 110 prosthetics under review for performance. For interpretation purposes, this likely means that four patients of the 106 had both knees replaced with a prosthetic unit at the same time or within a few weeks of other.

The results of the study were significant.

The Exactech knee replacement reportedly resulted in pain over and above what would be expected after the initial surgical healing phase. A full 22% of those studied after the two-year benchmark reported suffering to such a degree that they had to seek medical attention to get prescription pain-killers (opioids).

Fifteen percent of the study group claimed general dissatisfaction with the relief the operation gave them and overall performance of the joint prosthesis.

The Exactech knee replacement study also yielded more specific information as to what complications were occurring with the units. The tibial plate and component with this prosthetic unit is cemented into the bone unlike other knee prosthesis units of its generation which have relied upon tibial pegs growing into the bone. Nevertheless, the tibial component often had issues with coming loose.

The loosening in this area was believed, upon closer examination, to be caused by a polyethylene plastic insert that was breaking down where the femur articulated.

The tibial loosening, which oftentimes would be experienced by a recipient as joint instability, a knee cap or patella ‘popping’ out of place, or just pain and inflammation, would quite often motivate patients to seek early revision surgery to have their Exactech knee replacement removed in favor of alternate prosthetic units. This is a process that comes with significant risk.

Addition Risks and Complications Associated with Knee Revision Surgery

According to Healthline, a knee prosthetic unit typically lasts approximately 20 years prior to needing knee revision surgery.

For those who have needed revision surgery because of mechanical failure of a prosthetic, the knee replacement is removed from the tibia after it has grown into the bone. This happens regardless of whether it was originally a cemented or cementless prosthetic.

Because of this removal, the surgeon then has less hard tissue to work with to support a second prosthetic unit. This makes the overall expected longevity of a second unit cut in half to an expected ten years at best.

Often, a recipient must undergo a bone graft from a donor cadaver to support the prosthesis. Healing times are also lengthier from revision surgeries.

If you or a loved one has needed a revision surgery early because of an Exactech knee replacement, an expert product liability lawyer can discuss your case with you to see if you should pursue legal aid. Compensation can help you pay medical bills and reimburse you for lost wages while recuperating.

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If you or a loved one suffered from complications caused by an Attune knee implant, an Arthrex knee implant, or an Exactech knee implant, you may have a legal claim. In general, knee replacement surgery lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions. Get help now by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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