Knee replacement surgery is often required for those whose knees have been damaged as a result of arthritis or injury. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, surgeons performed 719,000 total knee replacements in 2010.
While a knee replacement surgery can increase the comfort and quality of a person’s life, not all knee replacement surgeries go as planned. When defective medical devices are used, complications may arise. If you’ve been the victim of a defective medical device like an artificial knee, speak with us about how you can recover the damages you’ve suffered.
The Dangers of Defective Knee Replacement Devices
One of the possible complications of this surgery is the knee replacement system becoming loose. When this happens, the patient may experience pain and discomfort, thereby requiring a second surgery to correct the problem.
Another complication of a knee replacement surgery that utilizes a defective product is metallosis, or metal poisoning caused by the knee replacement system. This can occur when a metal-on-metal knee replacement system is used and the metal pieces rub against each other, causing metal particles to break off and enter the bloodstream.
Recalls of Knee Replacement Systems
Some manufacturers have issued recalls for their knee replacement products. In fact, a 2013 ConsumersUnion report stated that from February 2003 to May 2013 that “the top six knee implant manufacturers have recalled 709 devices/components due to flaws” in the products.
Leading the way with 277 recalls was DePuy. The recalls were related to a number of various issues like potential fracturing of implant components during normal activities, wrong-size screws that came with the implant, mislabeling, metal debris in implanted anchors and more.
Next was Zimmer with 224 recalls over the time period. Zimmer recalls may be related to faulty design that makes them prone to failure, missing and mislabeled components, an implant that might not be polished, leading to increased wear and generation of debris, and more.
Stryker was next with 118 recalls over the 10-year time period. The recalls were due to damaged femoral components, guiding tools used during surgery coming apart, mislabeling and more.
Biomet had 75 recalls. Its recalls were related to sizing discrepancies, poorly assembled tools to guide bone cuts, and missing features on some tools that could shorten the implant’s life.
Finally, Smith & Nephew issued 11 recalls, and Wright issued four.
Your Knee Replacement Lawyers Can Review Liability for Faulty Parts
A knee replacement surgery that uses defective parts is both uncomfortable and dangerous for a patient, not to mention costly. When a defective medical device is used, the manufacturer may be liable for any injuries or complications incurred under what’s known as product liability law.
Product liability law requires a manufacturer to create products that won’t cause harm to the consumer; clearly, a defective medical part that results in injury or a secondary surgery does not meet that standard. In order to prove liability, our knee replacement attorneys will help prove that your injuries were a result of the defective device, and that harm to your body would not have occurred but for the defective product.
Call Gacovino & Lake to Talk Us
Many people have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of defective knee replacement parts. If a defective device harmed you, then now’s the time to take action.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associate, P.C., we can help guide you through the process of proving liability, understanding defective product laws and pursuing fair damages. To get started on filing your claim, call us today at 800-550-0000 or contact us online.
