Patients who receive knee replacement devices expect that their mobility will improve and that their overall health will be enhanced by a knee replacement. However, many different patients have reportedly had to undergo revision surgery after their knee implants have failed.

The knee implant failure has led to some recalls and even lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who say they were never properly informed about the risks.

Reasons Why Knee Replacements Fail

More often than not, a failed knee implant is caused by wear and tear linked to the subsequent loosening of the implant, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery. Other problems commonly reported by patients include fracture, infection, instability and stiffness.

The Popularity of Knee Replacements

Knee replacements are some of the most commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedures. According to OrthoInfo, knee implants are frequently recommended to those patients who have knee joints that have become injured or diseased. The worn out cartilage is removed from the patient’s knee at the time of the replacement surgery and the ends of the bone are shaped.

A metal implant is then fitted into that location with the idea of allowing the patient to have pain free and smooth movement of the joint. More than 90 percent of recipients who have gotten a knee replacement say that they were able to move their joints freely.

What Happens If I Begin to Experience Knee Pain?

Reporting the side effects and symptoms to a physician is the first step for a patient who is having problems with their existing knee implant. The surgeon will then take several different steps to evaluate the pain. The first of these involves discussing how the pain is affecting your life.

Startup pain usually is resolved within a couple of months, but common diagnostic signs of more serious issues include the sudden appearance of pain, difficulty when navigating stairs, and persistent start up pain. Any severe symptoms that limit the patient’s ability to live their life normally should be reported to a doctor immediately to rule out a more serious diagnosis, such as total failure of the device.

In many cases involving problems with the initial knee implant, the doctor will recommend that the patient go through revision total knee replacement surgery. This involves the doctor taking out some or all of the original parts and replacing them with new ones. Revision surgery is a different procedure than primary total knee replacement. It is more complex and longer procedure and requires extensive advance planning

A number of patients who have had to undergo the revision surgery say that they were not properly educated about the risks and benefits of their knee implant prior to receiving the implant directly. Many of these patients have had to undergo revision surgery and claim that they have suffered serious side effects and consequences that they should have been told about in advance.

Knee replacement failure has led to numerous lawsuits being filed against the makers of the devices, including the Arthrex iBalance. If you or someone you know has experienced problems with the Arthrex iBalance Knee, you could have grounds to pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Join a Free Knee Replacement Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one suffered from complications caused by an Arthrex knee implant or an Exactech knee implant, you may have a legal claim. Get help now by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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