An Arthrex knee replacement recall was issued by the manufacturer back in December 2015, after it found that a component was incompatible with other models of the device due to a manufacturing defect.

If you or someone you love suffers from complications with your Arthrex iBalance knee replacement, it may have been caused by the defect that led to this Arthrex knee replacement recall.

Arthrex iBalance Knee Implant Basics

The Arthrex iBalance implant was created as a treatment for knee problems associated with osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthrosis. The device was meant to offer another option for patients besides the traditional total knee replacement.

The Arthrex iBalance implant does not require the further surgeries for metal plate and screw removal. Many patients may feel like this feature makes the iBalance a less dangerous or costly option. However, complications linked with the Arthrex iBalance implant may force patients to undergo revision surgery anyway.

Problems with the device led the company to file its own Arthrex knee replacement recall. Arthrex issued its knee replacement recall on Dec. 17, 2015, targeting the Arthrex iBalance implant.

According to Arthrex, the recall came because of components that were incompatible. The company’s recall notice stated: “Devices reported to have a smooth texture to the outer surface of the metal, which differed from a previous that had a textured outer surface.”

While this may sound like a fairly innocuous issue, and not worth the recall, it essentially means that the product cannot be compatible with other components that have a rough texture. Incompatibility of components could subsequently lead to device failure or other complications.

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.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that there are around 2,378 Arthrex iBalance units affected by the Arthrex knee replacement recall that had made it into commerce, distributed all 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 like the DePuy Synthes Attune knee system and the Exatech Optetrak knee implant have recently been hit with similar recalls due to serious side effects. In some cases, these side effects are serious enough that they have required revision surgery. Of course, revision surgery itself brings on its own risks of complications and infection, as well as further medical expenses.

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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