The Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal (TM) tibial plate is a component of a total knee replacement prosthetic that was voluntarily recalled in February 2015 by the manufacturer.

Zimmer knee implant complications reported in association with this component include pain, inflammation, and joint instability. Reports to the Zimmer Co. and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) further indicated that the Persona TM tibial plate was showing X-ray evidence of other Zimmer knee implant complications, like loosening from the bone.

Components of a Total Knee Prosthetic 

Any prosthetic used in a total knee arthroscopy or replacement surgery (TKA) is composed of several parts. These parts include a femoral component, the articulating surface of the tibial component, and the back surface of the patella, depending upon its degree of degradation.

The femoral component replaces the end of the femur or upper thigh bone, whose natural end is amputated during this procedure.

The tibial component attaches to the upper surface of the major lower leg bone via a stem inserted into the bone. There are many varieties of prosthetic designs on the commercial market today. Some of these use cement to bond the stem in place and some of them rely upon the bone tissue itself to grow around the stem.

In the case of the Zimmer Persona TM tibial plate, there were two stems created for stability and those were expected to grow into the bone.

The patella is the anatomical name for the kneecap. In some knee replacements, no backside resurfacing is necessary. But implants are often designed so that any metal component articulates with a polyethylene surface for less wear and tear on the joint and smoother, more natural movement.

X-Ray Evidence of Zimmer Knee Implant Complications

Apart from subjectively painful experiences of the Zimmer Persona TM tibial plate recipients, X-ray evidence collected from visits to orthopedic surgeons revealed many instances of visible radiolucent lines.

Zimmer knee implant complications like radiolucent lines suggest gaps between the bone and TM plate. Simply put, this means that it is very likely the plate has moved from its original surgical positioning.

Movement of the TM plate is an indicator of possible knee prosthetic failure and a need for knee revision surgery, involving removal and replacement with an alternative implant.

Roughly 38 percent of Persona TM tibial plate recipients who complained to Zimmer about failing tibial plates have evidence of radiolucent lines or have already undergone the revision surgery, according to Zimmer.

The FDA followed up Zimmer’s recall of this prosthetic component with its own formal Class 2 recall for medical devices causing temporary or reversible anatomical human harm. All lots and sizes of this device were affected by the recall which included almost 12,000 units.

Patients who suffer knee implant failure could face enormous medical and hospital bills, and physical risks including blood clots, loss of bone tissue, differences in leg length, and the possibility that future implants will not stabilize properly. If you or a loved one has suffered Zimmer knee implant complications after implantation and had to or will have to face revision surgery, compensation may be available.