Zimmer NexGen “No Cane No Pain”—No Way

Seattle, WAJim regrets believing Zimmer’s promise of “No Cane No Pain” after Zimmer NexGen knee replacement surgery. And since surgery, his travel plans have gone sideways. “I did a lot of research with my doctor; we looked at different knee brands available and the Zimmer came out on top due to its flexibility,” says Jim. “But now I have to be flexible with my life - I can’t simply hop on a plane anymore.”

Jim had his knee replaced with the Zimmer NexGen. The fact that the NexGen boasted more flexibility - 255 degrees compared to 135 with other brands - helped him reach a decision. He figured it would give his knee replacement more “bend.” And Zimmer’s ad campaign (his doctor had T-shirts and a poster in his office with the slogan “No Cane No Pain”) cinched the deal. Jim’s doctor was also a Zimmer proponent. But Jim has been on painkillers ever since getting the knee replacement.

“Rehab took about three months but I never made a recovery,” says Jim. “My knee is always swollen when I walk so I don’t go too far. I can’t even get in a decent round of golf anymore. I love traveling, but sitting on a plane for more than a few hours is agony.”

Jim felt that the knee was loosening and he was afraid of a fracture. He went back to his surgeon a number of times for more x-rays to make sure everything was in place. And he recently had a bone scan to determine if it was loose, which it is. Now he is facing partial or full revision surgery. Jim was also told that there wasn’t the usual amount of cement in place and it was no cause for concern. But Jim is concerned:

“Not having enough cement could be the doctor’s fault but I believe this device has been oversold and over-promoted,” says Jim. “I asked my doctor if my knee has been recalled and I’m still waiting for an answer. I’m wondering whose side he is on; I’m sure that Zimmer doesn’t want me to know if I have one of their recalled devices.

“I discussed the possibility of revision surgery sooner than later. It isn’t just about my knee; I can really damage my body at this point. My wife and I had to cancel our winter vacation south last year because I was afraid that I would fall and not be able to get any medical help. So I’m looking at getting around with a cane and popping pain meds. Talk about false advertising!”

Zimmer NexGen Lawsuits

The latest Zimmer NexGen lawsuit filed by a Nevada couple in California Southern District Court (October 3, case no. 3:2013cv02373) claims that the man suffered serious injuries from his Zimmer NexGen knee implant. His Zimmer knee was implanted in 2009 and his injuries led to revision surgery in 2011. In late August, a woman filed a lawsuit in Texas Eastern District Court (case no. 5:2013cv00095) claiming that her Zimmer NexGen knee implant is defective. It had loosened, and as a result, she had revision surgery.

According to court data as of October 17, the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), there are 1,077 Zimmer NexGen knee implant cases currently pending in the Zimmer NexGen MDL (MDL 2272, US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois).