After Zimmer issued a voluntary tibial plate recall in 2015, a growing number of patients are filing lawsuits over Zimmer knee implant failure, alleging they were not adequately warned of the device’s risks.

Knee Replacement Basics

Knee replacement surgery is extremely common. In fact, around 600,000 patients undergo knee replacement surgery each year here in the U.S. The Zimmer device, known as the Zimmer Persona knee implant, is one of the more popular options for knee replacement surgery.

However, some devices have been linked with an increased risk of certain serious side effects, including device failure. Patients are reporting an increased rate of Zimmer knee implant failure, which can have lasting physical, emotional and financial effects on a patient.

Of course, any medical device or medication is expected to come with certain side effects. Mild or rare side effects of medical devices are included on warning labels. However, some patients claim the risk of failure was not adequately communicated to them before they elected to be implanted with a Zimmer implant system.

Indeed, patients claim that they were not warned about the severity of the complications linked with Zimmer knee implants, and believed them to be far less common. Patients generally expect that their implant can handle daily wear and tear, but many have instead reported suffering from Zimmer knee implant failure.

Some have responded by filing a lawsuit, alleging that Zimmer knee implant failure and other serious side effects are too great in comparison with the device’s relative benefits. Had they been given adequate warning about the risks of Zimmer knee implant failure, patients claim that they would have chosen a safer alternative.

The FDA reported that Zimmer issued a voluntary tibial plate recall in response to reports of serious complications. The recall affected thousands of devices and patients across the country. This recall affected one component of the entire Persona knee implant system: the tibial plate.

While many patients have already undergone revision surgery and are no longer implanted with the device, many are still at risk for Zimmer knee implant failure and the associated consequences.

Failure of a knee implant can lead to some serious complications and, in some cases, may even require revision surgery. Of course, revision surgery to alleviate these complications brings with it its own risks, further exposing a patient to surgical risks like infection, fractures, blood clots, bone loss, device failure, damage to nerves, tissue or blood vessels, as well as substantial medical costs.

Zimmer Knee Implant Failure Recall

The voluntary Zimmer tibial plate recall was issued after the FDA received a slew of reports of Zimmer knee implant failure and other complications from patients all across the country.

The FDA announced this recall back in March 2015 after receiving reports of complications with the tibial plate component of Zimmer’s Persona knee implant device.

The recall was classified as Class II, which indicates that the device is capable of causing temporary or reversible harm. (A Class I recall would have indicated the potential for permanent harm or even potential fatality.)

In total, the 2015 Zimmer tibial plate recall affected somewhere around 12,000 implants. While many patients have undergone revision surgery, many others are left with the implant and could be at risk for complications.

Reported Zimmer knee implant failure complications include:

• Persistent pain
• Device loosening
• Fracture
• Loss of mobility
• Inflammation
• Knee instability
• Knee tightness
• Need for revision surgery

Filing a Zimmer Knee Implant Failure Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been harmed due to Zimmer knee implant failure, you may be able to file your own claim. While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by problems with the device, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with these injuries.