Various knee replacement devices have been associated with device loosening complications, and even knee replacement failure. But the devices themselves may not be the only risk patients face.

Indeed, certain types of bone cement used with these devices, known as high viscosity cement, may be defective, leading to device loosening and even failure. A number of these bone cement products, including Howmedica Simplex cement, are currently being investigated.

If you or a loved one have suffered from knee replacement complications because of defective Howmedica Simplex cement, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Basics of Bone Cement

Bone cement has been used for decades during knee replacement to help join artificial joints connect to the bone and then keep them in place over a long period of time.

Unfortunately, certain types of bone cement have been linked with device loosening and even knee replacement failure. Indeed, more and more knee replacement patients are reporting suffering from device failure within three years of their initial surgery, and claim this is due to defective bone cement.

Bone cement comes in low, medium, and high viscosity, which are determined by the properties of the cement. The type that has often been associated with knee replacement failure is high viscosity, which includes cements from a number of manufacturers. These high viscosity bone cements are being investigated:

• Howmedica Simplex HV Cement (Stryker/Howmedica)
• Cobalt Bone Cement (Biomet/DJO Surgical)
• DePuy CMW 1 Bone Cement
• SmartSet Bone Cement (DePuy)

High viscosity bone cement like Howmedica Simplex cement has been linked with aseptic tibial loosening—loosening of the device with no associated infection.

Aseptic loosening can occur due to defective bone cement, such as if the cement fragments or suddenly breaks its bond to the bone. A 2016 bone cement study found that these issues were linked with high viscosity cements in particular.

Kentucky Man’s Howmedica Simplex Cement Lawsuit

A Kentucky man recently filed a Howmedica Simplex cement lawsuit after suffering from knee replacement failure, leading to serious complications and eventual revision surgery to remove the device altogether.

The plaintiff, Frank N., says he was implanted with a DePuy Attune Knee device in November 2015, and the Howmedica Simplex cement was used to bond the implant with his bones.

Over the next two years, Frank alleges he suffered from device loosening which became severe enough that he underwent revision surgery to replace the implant in February 2018.

Frank filed his Howmedica Simplex cement lawsuit on Oct. 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Louisville Division of the Western District of Kentucky. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including failure to warn and defective design.

Filing a Defective Bone Cement Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from knee replacement loosening complications after an implantation using Howmedica Simplex cement (or a similar high viscosity bone cement) and revision surgery is either scheduled or completed, you may be able to file a lawsuit of your own.

Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by knee replacement loosening or other device complications, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

The Howmedica Simplex Cement Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-00675-CRS, in the U.S. District Court for the Louisville Division of the Western District of Kentucky.