Surgeons Blame Knee Replacement Failures on Manufacturers

In March 2010, during a conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, at least two knee replacement surgeons provided data suggesting the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Knee Replacement failure rate may possibly be as high as nine percent (9%) — far too high for a knee replacement device. The lead author of the study, Dr. Richard Berger, reported that the rate of failure for these cementless Zimmer knee replacements were "unacceptably high."  When the research was conducted, researchers were monitoring 108 knee replacement surgeries where the surgeons were using a Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacement device.  They discovered that 9 of those patients had to have Zimmer knee revision surgery.

Knee replacement patients who received the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacement may be forced to suffer through a painful knee replacement revision surgery in order to correct the complications resulting from the original implant.  The most common problem associated with the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Knee Replacement is loosening of the implant. The research team concluded that Zimmer knee replacement problems were associated with the implant’s design and were unrelated to the surgeon, surgical technique, or inherent factors of the patient receiving the knee replacement.

Surgeons have previously presented information on knee replacement complications to Zimmer Holdings, which maintains that operating surgeons are to blame for the Zimmer knee implant complications. A major reason for knee implant failure is a loosening of the knee replacement. Patients who have experienced unexplained knee pain or difficulty walking after surgery should speak with their doctor, as they may be experiencing early Zimmer knee implant failure. Traditional knee replacement systems should last nearly 15 years, but research suggests that the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee implant can fail in three years or less. Those experiencing symptoms of Zimmer knee implant failure, or have already received a revision surgery, are advised to contact an experienced Zimmer knee lawyer as soon as possible.