Reverse shoulder replacement surgery is becoming more common, however, a major manufacturer of reverse shoulder implants has been recalling its devices.

When patients suffer from severe shoulder arthritis, they often undergo shoulder replacement surgery. However, sometimes a patient might require a different type of shoulder replacement surgery.

Patients who have torn their rotator cuff can develop a complicated type of arthritis in their shoulder called “cuff tear arthropathy.” For this condition, a conventional shoulder surgery may not work. Conventional shoulder replacement can result in more pain and limited movement.

For these patients, a surgery called a reverse shoulder replacement surgery can be a much better option.

The conventional device for shoulder replacement functions very similarly and looks very much like the anatomy of the shoulder. A metal ball is attached to the upper arm which fits inside a plastic cup that has been attached to the shoulder socket.

In reverse shoulder replacement surgery, the ball and socket are reversed. The plastic cup is attached to the upper arm and the metal ball is attached to the socket.

The reason why this is beneficial to those who have had rotator cuff injuries and tears is that it relies on different muscles to move the arm with the new implant. After reverse shoulder replacement surgery, the patient now relies on the deltoid muscle, rather than the rotator cuff, to move the arm.

Reverse shoulder replacement surgery may seem like a wonderful option for those who have had severe rotator cuff tears. However, a popular manufacturer of common reverse shoulder implants has been recalling its devices.

Zimmer Biomet recently announced that because of a high fracture rate, it is recalling the Comprehensive Reverse Shoulder replacement implant device. The device has allegedly caused a higher rate of fracture than what is disclosed on the label.

The recall called for any Biomet Comprehensive Reverse Shoulder devices in stock in hospitals or medical facilities to be quarantined and removed from their facilities. These recall devices were distributed between October 2008 and September 2015,

The FDA followed up with a Class 1 categorization of the recall. This is the most urgent type of recall that the FDA issues and occurs when there is significant and immediate danger of death or serious injury from the product.

Besides fracture, other problems can occur as a result of reverse shoulder replacement surgery. These potential complications include joint dislocation or partial dislocation, prosthetic misalignment, prosthetic loosening or joint instability and blood vessel or nerve injury.

If you or someone you love had a reverse shoulder replacement surgery and experienced bone fracture or other complications, you may be entitled to legal compensation.