Zimmer Inc. is facing a new Persona knee replacement lawsuit from a Mississippi woman, alleging the company failed to warn her against potential problems associated with their prosthetic.

The woman opted to file the Persona knee replacement lawsuit after discovering a componetn of the Persona implant system had been recalled from the market, after patients reported experiencing early device failure and need for revision surgery.

Plaintiff Hattie W. had filed the Persona knee replacement lawsuit not long after discovering the March 2015 recall, which withdrew almost 12,000 trabecular metal tibial plate components.

Hattie states she would not have opted for the device if she had known about the early failure rate associated with the Zimmer Persona knee replacement system, and alleges the company failed to warn her against this possibility. According to the Zimmer knee replacement lawsuit, Hattie had been recommended the prosthetic after injuring herself from a hole in the ground.

Hattie says she had been diagnosed with severe damage to her left knee on Aug. 17, 2012, with her physician recommending the Zimmer Persona knee replacement at the time, according to the lawsuit. Her physician had recommended the device after reviewing Zimmer’s advertisements and marketing, and concluded it would be ideal for Hattie’s situation.

Hattie underwent total left knee replacement surgery on Dec. 10, 2014, but alleges she experienced serious device complications soon after. These complications eventually forced Hattie to undergo revision surgery, which failed to completely resolve the problems caused by the Zimmer knee replacement system.

Hattie says she was then forced to undergo a third revision surgery to remove the Zimmer knee replacement system, as it continued to not work properly. Since her initial implant surgery, Hattie has undergone multiple treatments and revision surgeries for complications allegedly caused by the Zimmer Persona knee replacement system.

Hattie is filing this Persona knee replacement lawsuit against the company alleging various counts of negligence, and that the company failed to warn her against the problems mentioned in the recall.

Overview of Zimmer Persona Knee Problems

Zimmer issued a voluntary recall of certain trabecular metal tibial plate components, which allow the device to attach the patient’s knee without the use of cement. The tibial plate attaches to the tibia using two pegs that are directly inserted into the bone, which are supposed to “grow” into the bone and give the stability to the knee prosthetic.

However, Zimmer issued a recall after receiving complaints about major device complications, which were reportedly contributing to device failure.

Numerous patients reported they developed radiolucent lines, which are gaps between the knee implant component and the bone. These gaps show up on the X-ray images, which is a sign of “poor seating” and is an early sign of loosening. Device loosening occurs when the trabecular metal plate becomes loose from its initial implant position.

Zimmer describes device loosening as “the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.” Patients reported painful side effects including:

• Persistent Pain
• Device Loosening
• Lack of Ingrowth
• Component Failure
• Fixation Loss
• Globally Tight Knee
• Instability
• Fracture
• Patella Tracking Issues

Even though these device complications can be devastating to patients, Zimmer allegedly failed to warn the general public.

This Persona Knee Replacement Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00074-HSO-JCG, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.