An Exactech knee revision lawsuit has been filed alleging the company knew the components were susceptible to early failure.

Plaintiff Carita D. had surgery to implant an Optetrak knee replacement that was “defective, unreasonably dangerous, and caused permanent injury and damages” to her. When that implant failed, she says she had to undergo a painful Exactech knee revision surgery.

Exactech has launched various versions of its Optetrak devices since 1994.

Carita says she experienced failure in part due to a plastic tibial insert that was unable to endure stress placed upon the joint. This plastic tray was referred to having a “finned” design that set it apart from other tibial trays.

According to the Exactech knee revision lawsuit, by 2012, the company “had notice that Optetrak knee implants were failing at a rate higher than promoted.”

The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) reports indicate revision surgeries were needed due to “loose tibial component” and “pain, limited mobility, knee swelling and sensitivity.”  Similar complaints were received in 2013.

In 2014, the complaints of early failures included mentions of the finned tibial tray being a problem. As a result, Exactech allegedly conducted a “’silent recall’ campaign where it slowly replaced all finned tibial trays with a new, more substantial design referred to as ‘fit’ trays.”

Exactech Knee Revision Lawsuit Alleges Device is Defective

The Exactech knee revision filing indicates the company knew or should have known the Optetrak products “caused significant bodily harm and were not safe for use by consumers.”

Exactech allegedly failed to properly and thoroughly test the device before it was released in the market. The company allegedly failed to thoroughly analyze the data from the pre-market tests, and did not conduct sufficient post-market tests and follow-up on test subjects.

Despite “claims in its promotional materials of over 30 years of successful outcomes with knee devices, defendants knew of an unacceptably high early failure rate of its Optetrak knee implants.”

Carita alleges Exactech reaps profits not only from initial knee replacement surgery, but from Exactech knee revision surgery as well. The Exactech knee revision complaint quotes company CEO and President David Petty saying in 2016 that “the increases in knee device revenue ‘reflect excellent surgeon acceptance of Exactech innovations, including our three new revision systems.’” Petty also predicted that 2016’s rollout of revision knee products in the fourth quarter would ‘”carry momentum into 2017.’”

If you or someone you love has experienced an Exactech knee revision surgery due to early failure of the original device, you could be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and other unforeseen losses.

The Exactech Knee Revision Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-00766-JEO in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama.

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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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