A Zimmer tibial plate recall could affect anyone who received a Zimmer Persona knee implant between 2012 and 2015.

The part in question is a metal component that allowed the artificial knee to hold its place without the use of surgical cement. Called the Zimmer Persona TM Tibial Plate, the part has two pegs designed to be inserted into the bone.

Once inserted, the pegs are intended to stimulate bone growth and establish natural stability to the knee through this intended bone production. Zimmer calls this process “biological fixation.”

Unfortunately, this process has not worked optimally in many cases. The Zimmer tibial plate recall was announced in February 2015 after the company received numerous complaints regarding two serious issues.

Radiolucent lines are tiny gaps between the knee implant part and the bone indicative of “poor seating.” These gaps appear on X-rays as radiolucent lines, and they are early signs that the implant may be coming loose. The term “poor seating” means the implant is moving from its originally intended position.

Loosening is another issue with these knee implants. The Zimmer tibial plate comes loose from the bone. Zimmer has indicated that a loose component “is one of the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.”

The FDA issued an announcement of this recall in March 2015. The FDA categorizes the Zimmer tibial plate recall as a Class 2 recall, which means the device can cause medically reversible adverse health problems.

Zimmer Tibial Plate Recall and Revision Surgery

Zimmer has admitted that 38 percent of patients who experienced failed tibial plates had symptomatic radiolucent lines or underwent revision surgery because of failed components.

Knee revision surgery comes with its own risks. The uncemented tibial plate may have some bone grown into it, which means the tibial plate will need to be removed from that bone.

A new knee implant often will need to make use of bone grafts from either the patient’s own body or from a donor bone bank because the bones could be in a weakened state that otherwise will not hold a new implant.

A surgeon might need to use additional metal plates, wires or rods to ensure a knee revision surgery is successful.

Patients enduring a second knee surgery are at higher risk for complications such as infection, blood clots, bone loss, pain, swelling, and damage to nerves, tissues or blood vessels.

Due to one knee undergoing two surgeries, the patient’s legs might differ in length. Even a successful knee revision surgery can result in a reduced range of motion in that knee.

Patients who have suffered from injury and needed revision surgery due to the Zimmer tibial plate recall could be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit. If you’re unsure whether your knee implant system includes the cementless tibial plate, you can check an X-ray of your knee. If there are two nodules attached to the tibia (shin bone), you could have a case.