Chicago, ILA sure sign that there is trouble in wonderland is when you see increased activity in blogs and other postings on the Internet. Such has been the case for patients of Zimmer Knee Replacement—and specifically, Zimmer NexGen Knee Replacement—after finding that their prosthetic knees were failing much faster than they had expected.
The Zimmer NexGen Knee replacement system, overall, is advertised as affording to the patient greater flexibility—a boon for patients who tend to remain far more active in their twilight years than a previous generation. However, some products in the Zimmer NexGen family, such as the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral component, have proven to be troublesome. The prosthetic joint can allegedly loosen, and according to the June 23 issue of the Daily Record in Rochester, New York—revision surgery has the potential to be even less successful, and is usually more invasive than the first.
Lawsuits alleging a defect in specific Zimmer knee implants have emerged in three states. According to the Daily Record, a petition has been filed seeking a ruling on consolidation of the cases before a multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel.
The Daily Record reports that various law firms have noticed a great deal of activity online and in blogs, as frustrated patients vent about their Zimmer NexGen troubles. Those patients may have discovered the findings of a Zimmer consultant, who last year delivered a paper to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. Richard Berger found that 36 percent of patients who received a Zimmer NexGen knee presented with signs that the artificial joint had begun to loosen within the first year. Of those, nine percent required revision surgery.
It was not identified in the Daily Record report just what the specific Zimmer NexGen products might have been involved in Dr. Berger's findings. Certain components of the Zimmer NexGen knee replacement portfolio have been subject to a Zimmer knee replacement recall, but not all.
Procedures such as hip and knee replacement require a reasonable period for healing, during which time patients are often unable to work at their jobs. A revision surgery so soon following primary surgery can carry various employment and financial hardships for the patient.
The current set of lawsuits claim that Zimmer allowed a defective product onto the market, and failed to warn patients or doctors about the potential risks and alleged high failure rate associated with certain components inherent with Zimmer NexGen Knee Replacement.
If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a defective products lawyer who may evaluate your Zimmer NexGen claim at no cost or obligation.