Patients could end up filing lawsuits against Zimmer Biomet in response to a voluntary recall by the company over knee device complications linked to a component of the device known as the “Persona TM Tibial Plate.”

The Zimmer Persona recall was voluntarily issued by Zimmer Biomet and classified as a Class 2 recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the device had been linked in reports, studies, and lawsuits to serious injuries, as well as a loosening of the device from its proper position, which can cause its own problems.

Zimmer Persona Knee Implant Basics

Knee implant devices are used to alleviate pain and help correct disability. Knee replacements are often performed for patients with osteoarthritis and other arthritic problems.

The Zimmer Persona has a tibial plate component that attaches to a patient’s tibia. Peg components of the device “grow” into the bone, which helps to stabilize the knee implant.

Unfortunately, the U.S. FDA has in recent years received a growing number of reports of the Zimmer Persona knee implant loosening and moving out of position, leaving a substantial gap between the device and the bone.

The Zimmer Persona FDA recall notes that the device is linked with a number of serious side effects, including:

• Persistent pain
• Loss of mobility
• Inflammation
• Knee instability
• Knee tightness

There are two major complications with the Zimmer knee implant that patients tend to report. The first is radiolucent lines, which is essentially gaps between the knee implant and the bone. The second is loosening of the device.

Zimmer reports that around 38 percent of the complaints it has received about the device reference either symptomatic radiolucent lines or device failure that led to surgery. Patients cite several reasons for needing to undergo revision surgery including device loosening, fracture, instability, and persistent pain.

Of course, revision surgery itself brings a host of new dangers. Revision surgery exposes a patient to further risk, including infection, fractures, blood clots, bone loss, device failure, damage to nerves, tissue, or blood vessels, as well as substantial medical costs.

Zimmer Persona FDA Recall

The FDA announced this Zimmer Persona FDA recall in March 2015. The recall affects a total of around 12,000 patients who have been implanted with this device.

The Zimmer Persona FDA recall is considered a Class II Recall. This means that the device can cause temporary or reversible injury. A Class I Recall is more serious, and would indicate that a device can cause permanent injury or even death.

According to the FDA, all sizes of the Zimmer Persona tibial plate component are linked with these problems, and are thus all included in this recall.

Zimmer Persona Knee Implant Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has been harmed due to issues with the Zimmer Persona knee implant, you may be able to file a Zimmer lawsuit.

While filing a knee implant lawsuit cannot undo the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by problems with the Zimmer Persona knee implant, it can help to compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with these injuries.