Patients who had to have revision surgery due to complications with the Zimmer Persona trabecular metal tibial plate may qualify for legal action.

In 2015, Zimmer voluntarily recalled their Persona trabecular metal tibial plate due to reports that the component may have caused problems in knee replacement patients. The recall affected all sizes and lots of the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate, totaling over 12,000 units.

Knee Replacement Systems

Knee replacements are common procedures that replace the existing joint in patients who are injured, have structural bone problems, or have degenerative conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis. However, with modern advances in medical device technology, many knee replacement systems are available which vary depending on patient needs.

The Persona knee replacement is a personalized knee replacement that was marketed as a device which considered individual patient needs to find the best fit.

The components of the knee replacement system, including the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate, come in different sizes and fits so that the surgeon can personalize the implant for the patient. “In a market focused on matching the bone to the implant shape and size, we found that the opposite needed to happen … we need to match the implant to the shape and size of the resected bone,” their website states.

The Persona trabecular metal tibial plate is a metal component of the knee replacement system which attaches to the end of the tibia by two pegs which are inserted into pre-drilled holes. The pegs are supposed to fuse with the bone through natural bone growth during the healing process and provide stability to the component.

Poor Seating and Revision Problems

According to the recall, X-rays of patients with complications showed a visible gap between the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate and the tibia bone. This visible gap, which is a sign of poor seating, is thought to be caused by poor adhesion of bone to implant.

Symptoms of poor seating of the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate include persistent pain, loosening of the device, lack of ingrowth, component failure, loss of mobility, inflammation, joint instability, fracture, and patella tracking issues. About 38 percent of patients with complications due to the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate allegedly had a visible gap on their X-ray or underwent revision surgery.

Although revision surgery may solve the problem caused by the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate, there are serious risks associated with the procedure. If component failure caused any sort of damage to the existing bone, that bone may have to be removed. If there is not enough usable bone for a surgeon to attach a new implant, bone grafts may have to be used which come with the risk of rejection.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, complications of revision surgeries include pain, swelling, stiffness, infection, blood clots, bone loss, fractures, and reduced range of motion. More serious complications which are associated with any surgery include damage to nerves or blood vessels, pulmonary embolisms, lung complications or stroke.

If you or a loved one experienced complications due to the Persona trabecular metal tibial plate which resulted in revision surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, and more.