Zimmer Knee Problems Could Result in Recall

Several patients who have experienced side effects related to defective Zimmer knee implants have filed or are considering filing lawsuits against Zimmer, which, if won, could provide them with compensation that could help cover medical bills, lost wages, costs related to ongoing or future treatment, and other expenses. Zimmer Inc. is one of the biggest medical device manufacturers in the world, and the fact that problems have been detected in several components they manufacture could be a staggering blow to the company.



Three different devices and components, in particular, have been singled out in media coverage and bear the brunt of the majority of Zimmer knee lawsuits. The Zimmer Porous Femoral NexGen CR-Flex, which has been available in the United States since 2005, was denounced at the 2010 annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons once it was linked to serious knee problems. Although there has not been a recall of this device, many surgeons have refused to use it since these findings were presented.

The Zimmer NexGen TM Tibial Trays and MIS Tibial Components were involved in a recall that took place in September of 2010, with Zimmer claiming the devices had been packaged with improper and incomplete surgical instructions that were the cause of side effects associated with the device. The recall affected more than 68,000 Zimmer knee components worldwide, many of which had already been implanted in patients – and for these patients, the recall may have come too late.

The Zimmer NexGen CR is similar in structure and side effects to the CR-Flex, but the CR provides a more limited range of motion. Both of these devices were named in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois earlier this year due to side effects patients have suffered in association with the device. Patients who have experienced Zimmer side effects could be eligible to receive significant damages, and legal experts are advising them to contact an attorney as soon as possible in order to begin litigation.