Some patients who have had the Arthrex iBalance knee replacement system implanted have run into severe problems with their new artificial knee. These complications have prompted the need for revision surgery in some patients.

The Arthrex iBalance system was designed to help those patients who were suffering from multi-compartmental knee cartilage degeneration. This condition can be caused by post-traumatic arthrosis or osteoarthritis.

Patients who opt for the Arthrex iBalance knee replacement system do so because there is not a need for a second surgery as is the case with other knee replacement systems. Most other knee replacement surgeries require a second surgery to remove screws and metal plates.

Arthrex iBalance Recall

One of the components of the Arthrex iBalance Total Knee Arthroplasty system is the Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray. This Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray is the component recalled under the Arthrex iBalance recall.

This Arthrex iBalance recall occurred in December 2015 and affected around 2,400 devices. Arthrex issued an Urgent Medical Device Voluntary Recall to communicate with surgeons, hospitals and device distributors. This recall notice said that “[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.”

A smooth texture was discovered on the Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray’s outer edge, which led to the Arthrex iBalance recall. Because of the smooth texture, the Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray was not compatible with other rough texture models.

Revision Surgery for iBalance Failure

Unfortunately, Arthrex iBalance complications led to the need for revision surgeries in some patients. Revision surgeries are riskier than original knee replacement surgeries and require extra hospital time, increased treatment costs, and time off of work.

Some patients attempting to avoid a second surgery by opting for the Arthrex iBalance have had to undergo a second surgery anyway. These patients who have experienced Arthrex iBalance failure and are subject to the recall have experienced such complications as pain, mobility issues, swelling, infections, instability, inflammation, loosening of the implant and others.

Some patients have filed lawsuits against Arthrex because they believe the design and manufacture of the Arthrex iBalance knee replacement system is defective. Plaintiffs allege that Arthrex should never have put their product into the stream of commerce because of the high failure rate and design and manufacture defects.

One such plaintiff had to have a bilateral knee replacement surgery during which Arthrex iBalance knee replacement systems were implanted in each knee.

These Arthrex iBalance knee replacement systems contained the Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray. This plaintiff claims that she had increasing pain, instability and swelling in the area of her right knee. A bone scan and x-rays showed evidence of instability and a loosening of the components.

As a result she was forced to undergo revision surgery because of her failed Arthrex iBalance knee implant.

If you or someone you love has been implanted with an Arthrex iBalance Tibial Tray, you may be eligible for legal compensation.

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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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