The Arthrex knee replacement has been the subject of a class action investigation, with investigators reviewing injury claims from patients who had the Arthrex knee replacement and several other knee replacement systems implanted.

The Arthrex knee replacement system was created as a prosthetic option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis or post traumatic arthrosis, with the company marketing their device as unique compared to traditional total knee replacement systems.

However potential device component complications with the knee replacement system spurred Arthrex to issue a recall of the Arthrex iBalance implant on Dec. 17, 2015. This voluntary Arthrex knee replacement recall was reportedly conducted after the company found that a component in the device was incompatible with other models, due to a manufacturing irregularity.

Patients who had the Arthrex knee replacement system and suffered premature device failure or debilitating knee implant complications could be eligible to file legal action.

Arthrex Knee Component Issues

At issue in the recall were “[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,” according to the company’s recall notice.

This essentially means that this component may not be compatible with Arthrex iBalance implants with a rough texture, which can cause device failure and other serious complications. Arthrex officially announced the device’s recall in February 2016, noting that affected knee replacement systems should be discontinued.

The FDA noted that approximately 2,378 Arthrex iBalance units were affected by the recall. This Arthrex knee replacement recall is one of several recently conducted market withdrawals; other recalls were conducted by DePuy and Exatech for problems with their own knee replacement system components.

Similar to the Arthrex iBalance knee implants, the DePuy Synthes Attune knee system and Exactech Optetrak knee implant were recently recalled from the market.

Overview of Arthrex Knee Replacement

The Arthrex knee replacement system is unique among knee prostheses because it does not require additional surgeries, which are often needed for metal plate and screw removal. This was supposed to make the Arthrex knee replacement system more convenient and less expensive compared to other products.

Total knee replacement surgery is sometimes necessary to help restore normalcy to patients’ lives, with millions of patients undergoing this procedure in the United States per year.

However, a number of patients have reported complications after receiving an Arthrex knee replacement system. The device complications patients reportedly experienced included:

• Debilitating Pain
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bone or Muscle Damage
• Mobility Issues
• Swelling
• Fractures
• Disassociation of Implant
• Device Loosening
• Change in Knee Replacement Implant Position

These injuries often forced patients to undergo revision surgery, which is considered riskier than the initial implant surgery. This is because the risk of infection is higher than implant surgery, with the patient already required to undergo an extensive recovery process from the extra surgery.

Considering that the Arthrex knee replacement was marketed as more convenient than other knee prostheses, the patient population and medical community have been left very concerned.

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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