Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the U.S., but some patients who have received a knee device like the Arthrex knee replacement alleged that they suffered serious complications. In some cases, Arthrex knee replacement side effects may be severe enough to warrant undergoing revision surgery to remove the implant entirely.

The Arthrex Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is meant to help correct a knee that has been damaged from arthritis, with components capping the ends of bones at the knee joint and kneecap. The iBalance Arthrex knee replacement is one of the more popular device options. More than one million people undergo knee replacement surgery in the United States each year, according to estimations.

The Arthrex knee replacement was specifically designed to best treat multi-compartmental knee cartilage degeneration, often caused by osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthrosis. The iBalance Arthrex knee replacement is a fairly new device, and was passed through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just in December 2013.

However, the FDA approval was fast-tracked through the 510(k) process, since it was shown to be “substantially equivalent” to products already on the market and approved by the FDA. This means that it didn’t have to undergo the same extensive testing of devices approved through the normal channels.

Unfortunately, in the months and years after the iBalance Arthrex knee replacement entered the market, more and more patients are reporting a number of serious complications.

Patients who have reported problems with the Arthrex knee replacement device cite various complications which in some cases have required revision surgery to correct. Complications caused by a defective knee implant may include pain, inflammation, infection, bone or muscle damage, disassociation, device failure, and many more.

Arthrex Knee Replacement Recall

An iBalance Arthrex knee replacement recall was issued on Dec. 17, 2015. Arthrex cited the reason as “[d]evices reported to have a smooth texture to the outer surface of the metal, which differed from a previous that had a textured outer surface.” This essentially means that the product cannot be compatible with other components, which have a rough texture.

The medical device manufacturer officially announced its Arthrex knee replacement recall to distributors and medical facilities in February 2016, noting that the use of the devices should be discontinued.

Side effects may affect a large number of patients. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, around 2,378 Arthrex iBalance units affected by the Arthrex knee replacement recall had made it into commerce, distributed across the U.S.

Other Knee Replacement Recalls

The Arthrex knee replacement recall is not the only one of its kind. Other knee replacement devices, including the DePuy Synthes Attune and the Exatech Optetrak, have recently been hit with similar recalls due to serious side effects that, in some cases, required revision surgery. Of course, revision surgery itself brings on its own risks of complications and infection, as well as further medical expenses.

Filing an Arthrex Knee Replacement Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from knee replacement surgery complications due to DePuy, Arthrex, or Exactech knee implants, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by side effects of defective knee implant devices, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

Get a Free Knee Replacement Case Review

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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