The Zimmer Persona knee replacement has been recently associated with serious device complications,  particularly with the tibial plate which had been recalled for these issues.

This Zimmer recall has caused many patients to research knee arthroplasty and its potential problems, especially different factors which could cause them to fail.

Knee replacements are among one of the most frequently performed prosthetic surgeries in the United States, which is typically recommended to patients suffering from damaged or deteriorated knee injuries.

According to Verses Arthritis, most total knee arthroplasties last for about 20 years, but patients may need multiple surgeries if they get partial knee replacement surgery.

With the concerns surrounding the Zimmer Persona knee replacements, patients are researching different factors that could contribute to device failure. Several frequently asked questions regarding this are:

What are the most common causes of knee replacement failure?

• Device wear and tear: Friction caused by the joint surfaces interacting with each other, which causes the surfaces of the implant to wear and causes bone loss and loosening of the implants.
• Infection: Either metal or plastic implants can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can latch onto the implant surface.
• Fracture: Knee implant fractures can cause severe pain and immobility, which could require prompt revision surgery.
• Instability: The patient could feel the knee not supporting them, which could stem from weakened soft tissue or improperly implanted knee arthroplasties.
• Stiffness: Limited range of motion, which causes severe pain and general mobility difficulties.
• Patellofemoral (Kneecap) Problems: Kneecap problems are severely painful and can interfere with daily activities, and is noted to be difficult to fix even for experienced surgeons.
• Poor Alignment: If an implant is not properly aligned, it could fail regardless of brand or quality.

Will knee replacement failure require revision surgery?

Depending on the severity of the knee replacement complications, patients will most likely have to undergo revision surgery to resolve these complications.

It is important to note that revision surgery is considered riskier than the initial implant procedure, with approximately 80 percent of patients meeting good results. However, according to VeryWell Health, up to 20 percent of patients can still experience pain for months or even years after surgery.

What is the Zimmer Persona Recall?

Zimmer announced a voluntary recall of the Persona knee implant due to the tibial plate in early 2015, with the FDA issuing its knee implant recall in March 2015. The FDA classified this move as a Class II recall, which is designated for drugs or medical products that can cause temporary or reversible harm, and stated that all sizes and lots of the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal tibial plate were affected.

Approximately 12,000 Trabecular Metal components were recalled, which was reportedly due to troubling knee replacement injury reports of radiolucent lines and premature device loosening, all of which put patients at risk for premature device failure.

Radiolucent lines are gaps that can be seen on X-rays, which are gaps between the knee implant component and the bone. This is a sign of “poor seating,” which occurs when the implant shifts from its intended position. This is also an early sign of device loosening, in which the trabecular metal plate comes loose from its original implant site.

Zimmer stated that device loosening “is one of the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.”