If you received knee implant surgery, you might have components that are part of the Zimmer Persona tibial plate recall.

The Zimmer Persona Trabecular Metal Tibial Plate is the subject of a voluntary manufacturer recall issued in February 2015. The FDA announced the recall the next month as a Class II recall.

The tibial plate at issue is a part that connects to the bone without cement. Instead of using surgical cement, the part includes two pegs that are meant to be inserted directly into the shin bone, known as the tibia. The intention is the bone will grow around these pegs and act as a natural stabilizer. Unfortunately, this did not happen in many cases.

Reasons for Zimmer Persona Tibial Plate Recall

The Zimmer Persona tibial plate recall was necessary because many revision surgeries were being done due to complications with the initial parts.

Among the problems reported by patients needing revision surgery:

• Lack of ingrowth to the bone
• Device loosening
• Persistent pain
• Knee tightness
• Loss of component fixation
• Patella tracking issues
• Bone fracture
• Knee instability

If an X-ray shows gaps between the tibial plate and the bone, this indicates “poor seating.” This condition is revealed by the appearance of radiolucent lines that show the plate has moved from its original placement. Movement indicates the plate has become loose.

Poor seating can lead to many problems, including fluid retention around the joint. Cracks between the implant plate and the bone can serve as a collection point for debris as the implant wears down. Loose implants can damage the bone as the pegs even slightly move inside the tibia.

The Zimmer Persona tibial plate recall also indicates the plate can become loose. Zimmer says loose components “is one of the most prevalent causes for revision in total knee arthroplasty.”

Even though knee revision surgery can solve the issues related to the Zimmer Persona tibial plate recall, the repeat patient is at risk for other problems.

A second knee surgery can leave 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 because of tissue and bone damage.

The recall does not include any Zimmer implants that were set with cement.

If you are not sure 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 are supposed to attach to the tibia.

If you still are unsure, a lawyer who has experience with Zimmer Persona tibial plate recalls can help you determine if your implant is affected by this recall.