Many knee arthroplasty patients have suffered from complications of a Zimmer knee replacement, reporting adverse effects such as radiolucent lines and loosening of the trabecular metal plate.

If you or a loved one have suffered from complications of a Zimmer knee replacement, you may be eligible to file a legal claim. Of the thousands who were implanted with the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate, many have reported that they suffered from problems resulting from the implant loosening and shifting from where it was originally implanted.

Some symptoms of a failed Zimmer knee replacement implant include loss of mobility, inflammation, knee tightness, knee instability, and persistent pain.

Zimmer Knee Replacement Complications

Part of the Zimmer knee replacement system is a Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal tibial plate. This plate is attached to the tibia during a knee replacement procedure. Surgeons implant it into the bone without cement. During the procedure two pegs, which provide the implant greater stability, are inserted into the bone that then “grow” into the bone.

Around 12,000 Trabecular Metal components were affected during a recent recall of the Zimmer Persona TM plate announced by the company in February 2015. The recall originated from reports of loosening and radiolucent lines, two main issues stemming from the Zimmer knee replacement device.

Loosening is an issue with the trabecular metal plate as the device loosens up from where it was originally implanted. According to the company, loosening “is one of the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.”

Accordingly, the second main complaint, radiolucent lines, can be the beginning sign of loosening. A sign of “poor seating” of the knee implant component can be seen through X-rays. These X-rays show images of the gaps between the bone and the knee implant to which it was implanted. Once the implant becomes malpositioned, these lines may show up on an X-ray.

Zimmer Persona Knee Recall

The recall, which was voluntarily announced by the company, was also announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2015. Some of the reasons for the FDA recall included consumer complaints such as instability, fracture, patella tracking issues, globally tight knee, component failure, lack of ingrowth, loosening of device, persistent pain, and loss of fixation.

The FDA categorized the recall of the Zimmer knee replacement as a “Class 2 Recall.” The categorization applies to medical devices and drugs that cause reversible or temporary harm. During the recall, all sizes and lots of the Zimmer knee replacement were affected.

Many of the side effects listed have required patients to undergo revision surgery. However, while revision surgery may fix some of the listed issues, revision surgery does come with its own set of complications and risks. Revision surgery may even lead patients to suffer from more riskier complications that the first surgery.

Some issues that patients may suffer from once having undergone revision surgery may include: leg length discrepancies; bone loss; fractures; blood clots; infection; pain and swelling; and blood vessel, nerve, and tissue damage.

Revision surgery may also require patients to have to deal with additional medical costs, time away from family and friends, and extra hospital stays. A lawsuit can help recoup some of those costs.