Though the Arthrex iBalance knee replacement device is popular, a growing number of patients are reporting suffering from serious complications like pain, implant failure, loosening and more.

If you have been injured after your Arthrex total knee replacement, you may be able to pursue litigation.

Arthrex Total Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgery is one of the most widespread surgical procedures in the country—indeed, millions of Americans have had at least one knee replaced, and 700,000 more knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the U.S.

The Arthrex iBalance total knee implant was created to treat multi-compartmental knee cartilage degeneration, a condition often caused by osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthrosis. This device is a relatively new addition to the market, approved as a total knee replacement option by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2013.

The iBalance was not required to go through the full and rigorous testing normally required for such devices because it was fast-tracked through the FDA’s 510(k) premarket approval program. Essentially, this program allows manufacturers with devices “substantially equivalent” to similar devices that have actually received approval to be pushed through without the usual testing required.

The Arthrex total knee replacement was designed to offer an alternative that doesn’t require metal plates and screws and the surgery required to insert them.

However, more and more patients are coming forward with complaints of serious injuries associated with their Arthrex iBalance device, many of which have required revision surgery to remove or replace the device after loosening or failure.

Complications of the Arthrex iBalance

Unfortunately, the Arthrex total knee replacement device has been linked with a number of serious complications, including:

• Persistent joint pain
• Infection
• Swelling
• Kneecap shifting
• Inflammation
• Bone damage
• Instability
• Decreased range of motion
• Mobility issues
• Device loosening
• Implant dislocation

The FDA announced a recall of more than 2,300 Arthrex total knee replacement devices in March 2016. The FDA recall was initiated after Arthrex’s own recall alerts, which the company sent out in February 2016.

The FDA site notes that 2,378 units were affected by the Arthrex iBalance total knee recall across the United States. Arthrex noted that the use of the recalled devices should be discontinued.

Patients who have reported problems with the Arthrex knee replacement device cite various complications which in some cases have required revision surgery to correct. Many of these side effects have also necessitated revision surgery. Of course, any additional surgery puts the patient at further risk of complications and generates considerable medical expenses.

Filing a Knee Replacement Lawsuit

Countless lawsuits have already been filed over total knee replacement devices. If you have been injured by an Athrex total knee replacement or similar device, you may be able to pursue litigation.

While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by a defective Arthrex total knee replacement, 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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