A recall of a Zimmer knee replacement component was voluntarily announced by the company in February 2015, after patients reported serious problems with their knee replacement implants. The Zimmer knee replacement recall only affects a component of the knee implant called the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal tibial plate, which was used in devices implanted between 2012 and 2015.

Zimmer voluntarily recalled nearly 12,000 knee replacement implants with trabecular metal components. These knee replacement implants reportedly loosened and moved out of position, which forced patients to undergo revision surgery.

The trabecular metal (TM) tibial plates are components of the total knee replacement implants, which can be implemented without cement. The Zimmer Persona TM tibial plate attaches directly to the tibia bone, using two pegs to attach to the implant site. This allows the devices to “grow into” the bone, giving the simulation of stability and natural knee movements.

Zimmer Persona knee implants are often prescribed to patients who have experienced limited movements and pain, due to damaged or deteriorated knee joints. These knee replacement implants are supposed to restore movement and normalcy to the patients’ lives, but recent injury reports have raised questions about the medical device’s safety profile.

Overview of Zimmer Knee Replacement Recall

The FDA categorized the Zimmer knee replacement recall as a “Class 2 Recall,” which is designated to drugs and medical products that have caused temporary or reversible harm to patients.

According to the FDA, all sizes and lots of the knee replacement implant containing the trabecular metal tibial plate were at risk for device loosening and radiolucent lines. These complications were discovered soon after patients complained of persistent pain and loss of mobility soon after the device was implanted.

Radiolucent lines are signs of device loosening. They are gaps that can be seen between the knee implant component and the bone on X-ray images. When the knee replacement loosens, it will almost always force patients to undergo revision surgery to resolve these complications.

According to Zimmer, patients submitted injury complaints describing a number of different complications including:

• Persistent Pain
• Device Loosening
• Lack of Ingrowth
• Component Failure
• Loss of Fixation
• Globally Tight Knee
• Instability
• Fracture
• Patella Tracking Issues

Even though revision surgery is supposed to resolves these problems, it is important to note that there are higher risks for further complications including:

• Infection
• Nerve, Tissue, or Blood Vessel Damage
• Blood Clots
• Bone Loss
• Fractures
• Differences of Leg Length

Even if the patients do not suffer any further knee replacement complications, patients still have to contend with massive hospital bills and chronically impaired knee pain.

Even though these knee replacement complications can be devastating to patients, Zimmer may have failed to adequately warn the public until the Zimmer knee replacement recall. Patients who may have suffered Zimmer Persona knee replacement complications may be able to file legal action for compensation. Potential claimants should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility for a Zimmer Persona knee replacement lawsuit.