A growing number of knee implant patients are reporting suffering from Zimmer Persona knee implant complications after replacement surgery.

Zimmer recalled a component of its device in March 2015 due to reports of serious Persona knee implant complications, including device loosening and other serious injuries.

Persona Knee Implant Background

The specific component involved in the Zimmer recall is the Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate component, which attaches to a patient’s tibia. The device’s peg components are meant to grow into the bone to help stabilize the implant.

The tibial plate was recalled in March 2015 after it was linked with device loosening problems. A loose device can allow it to move, leading to gaps between the knee implant and bone visible in X-rays. Patients have reported that device loosening can lead to serious and painful Persona knee implant complications.

Persona Knee Implant Complications

A number of serious Persona knee implant complications have been linked with the device in patient complaints, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Persistent pain
• Loss of mobility
• Inflammation
• Knee instability
• Knee tightness

Two kinds of problems led to the Persona tibial plate recall. The first is known as radiolucent lines. Essentially, radiolucent lines are small gaps between the knee implant and the bone, visible on X-ray. The second complication is device loosening. Zimmer has indicated that 38 percent of patients suffering from Persona knee implant complications reported either radiolucent lines or other device failure that led to revision surgery.

A number of serious Persona knee implant complications have necessitated undergoing revision surgery. But the Persona knee implant complications are not the only worry here — revision surgery itself adds an additional risk for the patient, as well as additional medical expenses.

Zimmer Recall Over Persona Knee Implant Complications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued this recall over Persona knee implant complications in March 2015. The recall has affected nearly 12,000 devices already distributed. According to the FDA, all sizes of the Zimmer Persona tibial plate component are linked with these Persona knee implant complications, and are thus all included.

The FDA classifies this recall as a Class 2 Recall, meaning that it can cause temporary or reversible injury. A Class 1 Recall, by contrast, would indicate that a device can cause permanent injury or even death.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Persona Knee Implant Complications

If you or someone you love has suffered from Persona knee implant complications after being implanted with the device, you may be able to file a Zimmer lawsuit or join a class action lawsuit.

While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by Persona knee implant complications, it can help to compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with these injuries.