Zimmer NexGen Recall

Over 150,000 Zimmer NexGen knee replacements were sold globally since 2003. A number of respected knee surgeons revealed their findings at a March 2010 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons conference that shows a failure rate of almost nine percent. They also suggest that the true figure of knee complications requiring second surgeries may be even higher. One finding was that 36 percent of implants grew loose two years after surgery.

Another study at Rush University Medical Center of Chicago examined data from 108 Zimmer NexGen knee replacement patients. Their findings were that nine patients needed a subsequent surgery in order to correct the initial surgery. The followup surgery was required due to pain and knee loosening. Of the 108 patients, 39 displayed signs of radiographic loosening implants, irrespective of specific medical approaches or surgeons.

The NexGen replacement system, as opposed to typical knee implants, is fixed to the anterior of the thigh bone without using surgical cement. This can lead to the implant loosening or detaching completely over time.

So far, Zimmer maintains that its NexGen product line (represented by over 40 various models) has a very low rate of needed knee revision surgery compared to the industry as a whole. Zimmer has never issued a recall of their CR-flex knee component.

A variety of NexGen knee components were involved in a minimum of 58 recalls as of 2002, according to the Food and Drug Administration. All recalls were classified as Class 2, which means the defects were thought to be temporary or reversible. Of the 58 recalls none were for the NexGen Femoral Component.

Zimmer knee failure has been associated with a variety of components that are used in Zimmer NexGen knee replacement systems. The end result can be limited range of motion, pain, component loosening, and the need for additional surgery.

On Aug. 8, 2011, multidistrict litigation or MDL was established to provide streamlined procedures for each Zimmer NexGen lawsuit. It is hoped this approach will help avoid duplication in discovery, pretrial rulings, and motions. The lawsuits were consolidated under Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer in the Northern District of Illinois. The venue was chosen due to its proximity to the corporate headquarters of Zimmer.