A Zimmer knee replacement recall could affect you if you have knee surgery that did not use surgical cement to secure the implant in place. Zimmer Biomet has issued a voluntary recall of the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate.

In March 2015, the FDA designated the Zimmer knee replacement recall as a Class II recall.

At issue is a tibial plate that connects to the bone without cement. Instead of using cement, the part has two pegs designed to be inserted directly into the shin bone, known as the tibia. The pegs were designed to stimulate bone growth, intending for the bone to act as a natural stabilizer.

Zimmer Knee Replacement Recall Shows Cementless Work Fails

This Zimmer knee replacement recall indicates that without surgical cement, the knee replacement surgery is more apt to fail.

If an x-ray shows gaps between the tibial plate and the bone, this imperfection is called “poor seating.” Radiolucent lines that show the plate has moved from its originally intended position can indicate poor seating and that the implant has become loose.

Poor seating can lead to many problems, including fluid retention around the joint. As metals in the implant wear down, the tiny pieces of metal can make their way into the cracks between the implant plate and the bone. Loose implants can damage the bone as the pegs move even a tiny bit inside the tibia.

The metal plate can become totally loose from its attached position.

Zimmer claims 38 percent of patients who had failed Persona plates had radiolucent lines or underwent revision surgery due to failed parts in the Zimmer knee replacement recall.

Persistent pain and device loosening can lead to revision surgery. A lack of ingrowth into the bone, loss of fixation into the bone, instability and patella tracking problems are usually remedied with revision surgery as well.

Inflammation and poor seating also resulted in a tight knee or fracture that can only be corrected through another surgery.

Going through a second knee surgery leaves a patient at higher risk for pain and swelling, infection, blood clots, bone loss, fractures and nerve, tissue or blood vessel damage. Repeated surgery can also lead to a discrepancy in the length of the patient’s legs.

Nearly 12,000 patients have received implants that include the metal tibial plate covered in the Zimmer knee replacement recall. The recall does not include any implants that were set with cement.

It’s possible you don’t know whether your knee implant is covered by this recall notice. You can check an x-ray if you have a copy of one. You will see the pegs on the bottom of the metal plate that attach to the tibia.

If you still are unsure, a lawyer who has experience with the Zimmer knee replacement recall can help you determine if your implant is affected by this recall.