Are you having pain or other issues with your Exactech Optetrak knee implant?

An investigation is underway because of reports of serious side effects that include pain, swelling, infections and instability.

The FDA has received reports that Exactech Optetrak knee implant components were prematurely failing. In some reported cases, a tibial insert appears to succumb to wear within a relatively short amount of time.

The Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research council looked at 110 prostheses over a 25-month period. A total of 106 patients with Exactech Optetrak knee implants participated in the study. A full 15 percent of patients interviewed at the time said they were disappointed or dissatisfied with their knee implants.

A total of 22 percent of patients said they experienced pain and needed to take painkillers regularly to keep the discomfort at a minimum. Another 22 percent of patients were suffering from the loosening of the tibial implant. Twenty-one percent suffered patellofemoral conflict, which means the area where the back of the kneecap meets the thigh bone is causing discomfort.

Thirteen patients endured revision surgery because of loosening in the tibial area or because of patellofemoral instability and pain.

The Exactech Optetrak knee implant problems allegedly were caused by the wearing and resulting fragmentation of the polyethylene (plastic) insert.

Exactech Optetrak Knee Implant Can Cause Serious Adverse Effects

Among the serious adverse side effects that can lead to knee revision surgery are:

• Swelling
• Instability
• Infection
• Fracture
• Disassociation of implant
• Inflammation
• Implant loosening
• Pain
• Mobility problems
• Change in component position
• Kneecap moving out of place

Nearly four and a half million Americans have experienced knee replacement surgery, but these surgeries are far from routine based upon the number of people reporting complications.

The fact is that knee revision surgeries may be particularly difficult for a patient to endure. The patient who receives knee revision surgery is at an increased risk for pain and swelling, blood clots, bone loss and infection. The knee is such a small area that nerves, tissue, and blood vessels are more susceptible to damage the second time around.

In addition, the bones that have been traumatized by the first surgery are apt to need bone grafting in order to survive a second surgery. This means that bone will be taken from another part of the patient’s body or may be obtained from a donor, which can lead to rejection issues. A second surgery can also leave one leg shorter than the other because of the loss of bone.

Patients who have undergone revision surgeries because of failed components could qualify for a Exactech Optetrak knee lawsuit to regain money lost due to hospital and medical bills, long-term medical care, physical therapy, pain and suffering, revision surgery, lost wages, lost future earnings and permanent disability.

If you have suffered revision surgery as a result of a failed Exactech Optetrak knee implant, a consultation with a knee replacement attorney can help you understand your options for legal recourse.

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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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