Serious Zimmer Persona side effects have been reported in conjunction with a component of the Persona knee replacement system. The Zimmer Persona side effects have been primarily linked with the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate, which were reportedly prone to early device failure.

Due to reported Zimmer Persona side effects that came with device failure, numerous patients were forced to undergo revision surgery and had to contend with a lengthy recovery. These Zimmer Persona side effects eventually spurred a voluntary recall from Zimmer in February 2015, which withdrew 12,000 Trabecular Metal Tibial Plates from the market.

Zimmer announced the recall after receiving numerous complaints from patients alleging they developed radiolucent lines, which are gaps or spaces that appear between the implant and bone in X-ray images. These gaps are often a sign of poor seating which increases the risk of the knee replacement system moving from its initial implant position.

Radiolucent lines are essentially the early signs of device loosening, which Zimmer describes as “one of the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.” When the device loosens, it can create a number of painful Zimmer Persona side effects including:

• Persistent pain
• Limited mobility
• Inflammation
• Instability in knee
• Tightness in knee
• Lack of ingrowth
• Fracture
• Patella tracking issues

When patients experience these painful Zimmer Persona side effects, they will most likely have to undergo revision surgery to fix the problems. It is important to note that revision surgery is considered riskier than the initial implant surgery due to a higher risk of infection and other possible complications.

Overview of Zimmer Persona Knee Problems

Patients across the United States have opted for the Zimmer Persona knee replacement system after reading the marketing materials advertising the product’s unique design features. Specifically, the Zimmer Persona knee replacement system comes with a specialized component that allows the device to attach to the bone without the use of cement.

Instead, the Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate attaches to the bone with two pegs, which are directly interested and supposed to “grow” into the tibia. The pegs are meant to give the prosthetic stability, and give basic knee function to the implant.

The Zimmer Persona knee replacement system is meant to help patients maintain a normal life by restoring knee function and allowing leg mobility. But problems with this device have allegedly compounded many patients’ medical conditions. The adverse Zimmer Persona knee side effects eventually spurred the manufacturing company to issue a market withdrawal.

After the Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate recall became public knowledge, a Zimmer Persona lawsuit  investigation was issued to review potential injury claims. Patients who suffered Zimmer Persona knee side effects and have had to undergo revision surgery may be able to seek compensation for medical damages.