Zimmer NexGen Knees—Two Nurses Weigh In

Indianapolis, INMark, a registered nurse, had a Zimmer NexGen Knee replacement in 2008 and has been in constant pain ever since. "I'm not looking to get rich from a Zimmer NexGen lawsuit," says Mark. "I just want to get my knee fixed." Pam, also an RN, already had her Zimmer knee removed and replaced due to "separation and slipping" issues.

"Since I had a Zimmer NexGen total knee replacement, I have complained to my orthopedic surgeon of pain, noise and difficulty with any lateral—sideways—knee movement," says Mark. "I know this device is loose because it bounces and floats and I constantly hear these popping sounds. If I dangle my leg and shake it from side to side it sounds like a bag of marbles, and really hurts. 'This is your new party trick,' said my doctor, trying to make light of the situation. But I don't see the humor; all I see is revision surgery.

"After several visits to his office, my surgeon suggested that I take anti-depressants because I wasn't 'accepting' my new Zimmer knee. I stopped seeing him, thinking that I got a botched job and just needed to live with it. But after doing some research, I am certain that this NexGen knee is defective. Because I am an RN I have interviewed many post-knee replacement patients who received knees other than Zimmer, and none of them have these symptoms. I have casually asked other orthopedic surgeons at a former hospital where I worked about these symptoms. They all agree that I need to get revision surgery, but this time with another brand of medical device.

"My claim to fame is that I walk fast—that's how I get my work done. Now when I stand, my kneecap clicks. [Mark puts his knee to the phone and I can actually hear the clicking noise.] It sounds like a loose and sloppy joint—I'm not supposed to be able to shake my leg like this. My doctor injected my lower leg with steroids and the pain subsided for a few weeks, but now it's back again and keeps me awake at night—not good for work. I've been on anti-inflammatory pills and pain meds for about two years now and just have to work through the pain, but I don't know how much more I can take…"

Pam had a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement implanted at the University of Virginia hospital but had it removed and replaced three years later. "I was told that this Zimmer knee was supposed to last for 12–15 years," Pam says. "As a result of excruciating, long-lasting pain after surgery, I developed a physical dependency to OxyContin; under my physician's supervision that took almost six months to resolve."

"Subsequently I had to have lumbar fusion and another knee replacement, this time on my right knee, within the same year. The right knee and lumbar issues were severely aggravated by eight months of altered gait from the 'bad' left knee. And it's still painful, six years later. Because I am an RN, which means standing, walking and running all day, I have been unable to work in my profession."

Both Mark and Pam welcome the opportunity to warn the public about Zimmer NexGen knees and urge anyone who is considering an artificial knee replacement to do some research beforehand: read the studies and information on Zimmer knees and talk to your orthopedic surgeon—sooner than later. If you already have a Zimmer NexGen knee, you might want to speak with an attorney.