Knee Replacements Gone Wrong

A lot of people suffer from knee problems.  Let's face it – our knees go through the harsh rigmarole of tasks we do every day, and because of that, the bones, cartilage and tendons can start to wear, causing you to need a knee replacement eventually.

Unfortunately, there has been one knee replacement that has failed its patients more than others on the market.  The Zimmer NexGen LPS-Flex and CR-Flex knee replacements have actually caused bigger problems for people after they've received the implants than before they got it.  These knee implants are supposed to last for 15 years or more; however, they are failing within a year or two.  36% of one study's sample showed signs of early loosening within the first two years.

Loose knee implants can cause several problems.  For instance, it causes pain and erosion to bone, can severely restrict your daily physical activities, and can also bring about serious psychological problems.  Mechanical loosening can occur with cemented and uncemented replacement knees.  Some of these Zimmer knees, for example, are uncemented implants. This means the implant relies solely on fusing to the patient's bone.  In these uncemented implants, movement between the surface of the implant and the bone can cut off blood circulation to the bone tissue.  This causes only soft tissue to grow between the implant and the bone, making the implant unstable or loose.  The premature loosening of the MIS Tibial component is one cause for the Zimmer knee replacement recalls.

There are certain signs that will tell you if your knee replacement is loose or not.  You might experience stiffness in your entire knee, increasing pain in your knee area, difficulty putting weight on your knee, limping, and a reduced motion in the joint.

The Zimmer knee implant failure rate has nothing to do with the surgeon or the patient – it has everything to do with poor design.  If you have experienced a failed Zimmer knee, you may have grounds to sue Zimmer Holdings and be compensated financially.  Seek an injury lawyer today and get the correct care you should have gotten in the first place.

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