Knee replacement surgery is intended to restore mobility and eliminate chronic pain, but defective knee implants have caused thousands of patients to require premature revision surgery and suffer ongoing complications. Patients injured by failed knee implants are pursuing legal claims against manufacturers who allegedly knew their products had unacceptably high failure rates.
Common Knee Implant Failures
Modern knee replacement systems consist of multiple components that must work together for decades. When any component fails prematurely, patients face serious complications:
Tibial baseplate loosening occurs when the metal component attached to the shin bone separates from the bone, causing instability, pain, and loss of function. Certain designs have shown dramatically higher loosening rates than expected.
Polyethylene wear happens when the plastic spacer between metal components breaks down faster than anticipated, generating debris that causes inflammation, bone loss, and implant loosening.
Metal-on-metal wear in some knee designs releases metallic debris into surrounding tissue, causing metallosis, tissue death, and systemic metal toxicity in severe cases.
Component fracture occurs when implant parts break under normal use, typically requiring emergency revision surgery to replace broken components.
Instability and misalignment may result from design flaws that fail to properly replicate natural knee mechanics, causing ongoing pain, limited range of motion, and accelerated wear.
Knee Implant Products in Litigation
Several knee implant systems have generated significant litigation due to higher-than-expected failure rates:
DePuy Attune knee systems have faced lawsuits alleging premature tibial baseplate loosening requiring revision surgery far sooner than the expected 15-20 year implant lifespan.
Zimmer Persona and NexGen knee systems have been subject to litigation over loosening and premature failure claims.
Smith & Nephew knee products have faced claims related to component failure and revision rates.
Stryker knee systems have been involved in litigation over specific product lines with alleged design defects.
Signs Your Knee Implant May Be Failing
Patients should be alert to symptoms that may indicate implant problems:
Increasing pain that was not present after initial recovery, particularly pain that worsens over time or affects daily activities.
Swelling or warmth around the knee joint that persists or returns after the initial healing period.
Instability or giving way sensations suggesting component loosening or misalignment.
Decreased range of motion or stiffness that develops after initial recovery was complete.
Clicking, grinding, or popping sounds from the knee during movement.
Patients experiencing these symptoms should consult their orthopedic surgeon for evaluation, which typically includes X-rays and potentially CT scans or other imaging to assess implant condition.
Legal Claims for Failed Knee Implants
Knee implant lawsuits typically allege:
Design defects that caused the implant to fail at unacceptably high rates, with manufacturers allegedly aware of design problems through internal testing or early adverse event reports.
Manufacturing defects in specific lots or production runs that deviated from design specifications.
Failure to warn surgeons and patients about known failure rates or specific complications associated with the device.
Compensation in Knee Implant Cases
Patients with failed knee implants may recover compensation for revision surgery costs, additional rehabilitation, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Cases involving multiple revision surgeries or permanent impairment typically recover higher damages.
Patients considering legal action should identify their specific implant through surgical records, document all complications and treatments, and consult with an attorney experienced in medical device litigation.