Reports of Exactech total knee replacement failure have spurred major concern in the medical community, with the FDA warning against early failure.

According to the FDA’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, there have been multiple reports of early device failure in association with Exactech total knee replacement.

The agency stated the high rates of early failure, may be linked to the device loosening soon after implant surgery. The injury reports filed in conjunction with the Exactech total knee replacement implants includes, but not limited to:

• Loose tibial component of the device
• Severe pain, limited mobility, knee swelling, and sensitivity due to loose joint components
• Visible loosening of the device
• Revision surgery needed due to device failure

The Exatech Optetrak tibial tray is one of the device’s components that has been attributed as a potential cause to the reports of device failure. This component is reportedly prone to excessive wear and tear. Some patients who received this implant had to later undergo revision surgery to explant and replace the failed knee implant.

Overview of Exatech Total Knee Replacement Complications

The Exatech total knee replacement is typically prescribed to treat patients with arthritis or knee injury, in order to restore movement. Approximately 4.4 million Americans have undergone knee replacement surgery in the United States.

Many revision surgeries are necessary because of several alleged defective knee implants, which reportedly failed prematurely. Companies that issued recalls of their knee implants are DePuy, Arthrex, and Exactech. The Exactech total knee replacement is one of several knee implants that have been linked to high failure rates.

The medical community became concerned after a recent study was conducted by the journal Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, which analyzed how the Exactech total knee replacement implant was working for patients on the market.

The study analyzed 106 patients with 110 prostheses, within 25 months after knee replacement surgery. The Exactech total knee replacement study found that patients suffered a number of complications soon after receiving the implant, including:

• 15% stated they were disappointed or dissatisfied with the knee implant
• 22% stated they were in pan and in need for painkillers on a frequent basis
• 22% stated they began to experience tibial implant loosening
• 21% stated they experienced symptoms of patellofemoral conflict
• 13 patients reported needing revision surgery due to either tibial loosening, patellofemoral instability, or patellofemoral pain

Researchers noted that tibial loosening was occurring at the cement-tibial-implant part of the device, which allegedly resulted in fragmentation and device wear. Knee implant complications in injury reports include, but are not limited to:

• Debilitating Pain
• Limited Mobility
• Swelling
• Instability
• Infections
• Fractures
• Inflammation
• Device Loosening

Patients who have had to undergo revision surgery may be able to seek compensation if  the company knew about the potential for complications yet failed to take appropriate steps to address it. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility for a knee replacement lawsuit.

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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