Zimmer Knee Implant Complications - d'Oliveira & Associates

Some experts have alleged that patients who have used the Zimmer NexGen Flex-Knee implants have experienced a higher than normal failure of the knee product within only a few years after having surgery. One study has identified the failure rate of the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component to be as high as 9%. More than 150,000 Zimmer NexGen Flex-Knee implants have been sold since 2003.

Zimmer’s CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component is a “high-flex” porous femoral portion of the knee replacement and does not use surgical cement to keep it in position, unlike most knee replacement implants. The absence of surgical cement, according to some surgeons, may increase the risk of the “high-flex” porous femoral component loosening, which often requires surgical correction. Zimmer has stood by its product and claimed that any issues with the knee replacement stem from surgical errors, technique problems, or the particular patient receiving the implant.

As a result of the problems reportedly associated with the Zimmer CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component, some surgeons have suggested that a Zimmer NexGen knee replacement recall is necessary. In March 2010, data concerning the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component was presented at a conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Such data indicated that the failure rates of Zimmer’s CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component were reported to reach an “unacceptably high” 9% in patients examined two years after implantation. Furthermore, the data suggested that other complications associated with the knee replacement product may also require revision surgery at an even higher rate. The authors of the study were skeptical of the fact that the product was released for sale to the public before clinical testing was performed.

The study was conducted with researchers observing 108 patients who had received knee replacement surgeries utilizing the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral Component. Nine patients from the study reportedly required knee revision surgery as a result of Zimmer NexGen knee replacement loosening and pain. Additionally, 39 patients examined showed signs of loosening knee implants, signs which the observing doctors did not believe were associated with surgical errors, technique problems, or the particular patient.

Contact the Law Offices of d'Oliveira & Associates

If you or a loved one has used a knee replacement system and believe that you have suffered complications from the product, contact the Law Offices of d’Oliveira & Associates. You may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding a potential claim. An injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of the Zimmer NexGen knee replacement implants may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.

Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.