Zimmer Persona knee implant lawsuits have been filed by individuals who were implanted with the company’s knee replacement device and later suffered adverse side effects and complications. Patients who have experienced severe adverse side effects because of a Zimmer Persona knee implant device may be eligible to file a lawsuit and take legal action.

According to reports, adverse side effects reported in association with the Zimmer Persona knee implant system stem from complaints of “poor seating” and loosening. This led the company to announce a voluntary recall of the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate in 2015.

The Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate were recalled to avoid causing further complications in implant recipients. It was unfortunately, however, fairly late for many patients who had already been implanted with the recalled component.

The voluntary recall issued was based on reports from patients who had endured several complications including device loosening, early device failure that required revision surgery or replacement, and chronic pain.

Symptoms of a failing Persona Tibial Plate may include loss of mobility, knee instability, knee tightness, inflammation, and persistent pain.

Zimmer Persona Knee Implant

During the Spring 2015 recall of the Zimmer Persona tibial plate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall as a Class II recall–a classification made to categorize devices or drugs that cause temporary or reversible harm.

The recall affected nearly 11,700 Persona Tibial plates of all lots and sizes. These impacted all devices that had been distributed around the world between Nov. 29, 2012 and Jan. 23, 2015. Surgeons were advised to not implant anyone with the device any longer.

The Zimmer Persona knee implant would be at risk for failing within just a few years, when they were expected to last between 15 and 20 years. After suffering some of the following complications, many patients filed their Zimmer Persona knee implant lawsuit:

• Loosened device
• Limited mobility
• Chronic pain
• Premature failure
• Revision surgery
• Appearance of radiolucent lines and gaps between the patient’s bone and the device component

The Zimmer Persona knee implant was approved through the FDA’s 510(k) process that allows products to be sold without a full array of device testing and studies. This can be done when the manufacturer shows that the device is substantially equivalent to a device or product that is already on the market. This is also known as a predicate device. This process saves manufacturers a lot of time and money as they can bypass the need to undergo and perform any clinical trials or testing.

However, the Class II recall was announced when it was determined that the tibial plate was linked to complications that could require a patient to undergo revision surgery. If these adverse effects and failures are also not caught soon enough, it can lead to even more serious injuries.

When it comes to undergoing revision surgery, it is not safe to assume that no other adverse side effects or complications will result. With revision surgery, there can be other complications associated with the procedure. Some of these may also include:

• Fractures
• Leg length discrepancies
• Blood clots
• Bone loss
• Infection
• Pain and swelling
• Never, blood vessel damage, tissue

Additionally, a knee replacement surgery may also be associated with hospital stays, time off work, medical costs and expenses, and time away from family and friends.